Gender studies that touch on issues such as rape, domestic violence and sexual harassment are one step closer to being introduced in the Kingdom’s universities.

At a forum yesterday, representatives of NGO Gender and Development Cambodia and the Royal University of Phnom Penh discussed their final draft of a gender studies curriculum for RUPP that they hope will expand to other universities.

“We plan to put the curriculum in tertiary education to promote the concept of gender to students,” GADC executive director Ros Sopheap said, adding that gender-based violence in society will be a main focus.

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ The Chhunhak said at the forum that the government and public institutions should consider how gender studies courses are implemented.

The new curriculum has already garnered support among interested university students.

“We hope this subject will spread widely in Cambodian universities, so women will understand their social rights,” student Chan Leakena said.