The Editor,
I wish to point out that the reference to the Census Questionnaire in the Gecko
column of the Phnom Penh Post (November 7-20, 1997) contains some factual errors
which are mentioned below.
The 1998 Census is sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and not
UNDP as stated in the report.
There is no question #48 in the Census Questionnaire. In the Census, the enumerator
has to record the answer to each question for every individual interviewed. In paragraph
46 of the final version of the Enumerator's Manual which is for official use, the
enumerator is instructed to fill in "Column 9: Sex" in the Houselist (Form
A) by recording code 1 for male or code 2 for female. For eunuchs and hermaphrodites,
the enumerator is asked to record code 1 as such cases are rare and this procedure
is generally followed in the censuses of other countries. It is not the intention
of the census to find out how many eunuchs and hermaphrodites are in the population.
I wish that the reporter had checked the facts before writing such a story, which
is perhaps intended to be humorous. It is not, however, in the best interests of
the Census, a national task requiring people's cooperation.
- Hou Taing Eng, Director General of the Census, National Institute of Statistics,
Min of Planning.
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]