Ministry of Women’s Affairs condemns ‘sexually explicit’

September 1, 2022 Khmer Times

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs has issued a press release expressing its deep regret and condemnation of the Miss Grand Cambodia beauty pageant, which the Ministry says was overly sexy, sexually explicit, and seriously undermined the honor, dignity and value of Khmer women.

In its press release, the Ministry says that recently, there has been a worrying increase in media coverage and social media of scenes of inappropriate clothing being worn by a small number of Cambodian women in the pageant in extremely sexy images, showing eroticism, appearing up and down, seriously affecting the honor, dignity and values ​​of Cambodian women, as well as setting a bad example for the next generation of young men, women, boys and girls, who are the bamboo shoots and pillars of the country. 

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs would like to express its deep regret and condemnation of such activities, which not only did not contribute to the promotion of culture, traditions and national identity, but also seriously undermined the honor, dignity and worth of Khmer women.

The Ministry urges individuals who organize such programs to maintain the dignity of their programs through extremist currents that deviate from the culture, morality, and dignity of the Khmer nation and should not organize any programs that harm national civilization or culture.

Such programs must protect the honor, dignity and value of Cambodian women in all forms with the highest sense of responsibility.

Once again, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs would like to thank all the members of the public who expressed their dissatisfaction with the contribution to the protection of the honor and image of the nation and strongly believe that all members of the public, both at home and abroad, will continue to do so and actively participate with the Royal Government to prevent all inactivity to promote the morality, society, dignity of the Cambodian people, as well as maintain the values ​​of Cambodian women and families to be better in the future.

The Ministry’s statement comes after PM Hun Sen ordered a review of the pageant after after an ill-advised broadcast on the 24th of August.

Poipet and Bavet cities complained that the costumes ‘representing’ their cities glamourized gambling – with the costumes being based around playing cards and dice.

Meanwhile, Stung Treng provincial authorities launched an official complaint concerning the costume (below) representing the province, in which a woman – partially revealing both her breasts and genital area – was displayed as being a representative of the province.

Provincial authorities stated ‘This is a serious insult to the good traditional culture of Cambodia, especially the honor of our Cambodian women.

The Stung Treng Provincial Administration would like to reject the use of this representative costume in the name of Stung Treng Province for the show without the permission of the Provincial Administration, and this costume does not reflect the traditional dress in Stung Treng Province.’

Yesterday, The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has summoned the owner of Mahahang Productions – organisers of the Miss Grand Cambodia beauty pageant – to answer for the widely condemned costumes.

Long Bonna Sirivath, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, said that the owner of Mahahang Productions, Mr. N Sophin, must attend the Ministry to make a contract to stop activities that are contrary to Khmer tradition and morality.

The Ministry also advised the owners of this production to pay attention and be inspected by the Ministry before performing at on stage or before broadcasting something related to Khmer traditions and culture, especially the characteristics of identity in various areas.

Mahahang Productions could not be reached for comment.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501143078/ministry-of-womens-affairs-condemns-sexually-explicit-miss-grand-cambodia-beauty-pageant/