Cambodian populations had 52% of women and 48% of men, where around 80% are farmers living in rural areas. Women are basically influential in generating family income. However women's role on decision-making in household livelihood is commonly ignored. So, the study aimed to assess the social class in every household livelihood, to assess the status of decision-making about household livelihood, and analyze the constraints and opportunities of women in decision-making. The result showed that 10% of households were rich, 50% were medium, 30% were poor and 10% were underpoor. In main jobs, 84% of households planted rainy season rice, 11% were business owners, 3% sell labour, 3% was Governmentt officials, 2% planted dry season rice, 2% did chamka and 1% did other jobs. In sub-jobs, 79% of households raised animals, 37% did chamka, 21% was business owner, 16% sell labour, 6% collected forest product, 1% planted rainy season rice, 1% planted dry season rice, 1% was fisher, 1% was motor taxi-driver and 1% did other jobs. The heads of families were mostly men except for widows and single women, who play very important roles as heads of their families as decision-makers. The constraints of women in decision-making in househood livelihood were due to: poor education, poor technical skill, busy on doing house work, weak health, poor self belief, poor self confidence in decision-making, no paticipation in society, traditional culture, and poor recognition on the income received from husband work. In constract, the opportunities were: patient, hardwork, fullfiling works, saving money, joining on decision-making in family and supported by government and NGOs. In conclusion, female participation in decision-making is very necessary for household livelihoods. So, the Government, NGOs, society and women themselves should participate to bring empowerment to women in decision-making, investing, managing and improving household livelihoods.
View full abstract