Phnom Penh: Difference between revisions

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Despite progress, there is still significant room for growth. Generally speaking, Cambodian women who are older, more educated, live in higher income brackets, or live in urban areas are more likely to use contraceptives. Women in rural areas are less likely to use contraceptives. There are stigmas and misconceptions related to contraceptives as well. For example, it is a common misconception in Cambodia that contraceptives cause infertility or that only married women can purchase contraceptives. Furthermore, many women have men in their lives (such as their husbands, fathers, or community leaders) who are opposed to contraceptives, and they may be heavily influenced by these opinions.<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/ipsrh/2010/09/role-social-support-and-parity-contraceptive-use-cambodia The Role of Social Support and Parity in Contraceptive Use in Cambodia]</ref> These various factors contribute to a lower rate of contraceptive adoption among women in certain areas or communities.

* If you want birth control pills, you can purchase them at pharmacies without a prescription. Some of the brands you can expect to see are FMP, Anna, Minidril and Microgynon ED. One of the most common brands is called OK. It's been reported that some wealthier locals don't feel that they can trust OK pills because they're cheap. But, according to the Phnom Penh Post, "The pills and condoms are heavily subsidised and quality-controlled by Population Services International, a global health NGO, who target the OK brand at poor women. According to Watson the OK pill is the same as a very popular pill called Microgynan, currently prescribed to 70 percent of women in the UK."<ref>[http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-plus/your-guide-womens-health-cambodia Your guide to women's health in Cambodia]</ref>

* For IUD insertion, you can get it done at [http://www.wbcanna.com/wbcs-EN-48-1 Anna Women's-Baby Center] or at [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes]. If you're a Cambodian national, the price at Marie Stopes is 30,000 riels (it will be a different price if you're non-Cambodian). Marie Stopes also does IUD removal (20,000 riels for Cambodian nationals).

* For the birth control implant, you can get it done at [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes], which provides the ImplanonNXT implant (120,000 riels if you're a Cambodian national). They also do removal (20,000 riels if you're a Cambodian national). You can get it also get from [http://www.wbcanna.com/en/ Anna-Women's Baby Center] for somewhere between $25-50.

* For the birth control shot, you can get it done at [http://www.wbcanna.com/wbcs-EN-48-1 Anna Women's-Baby Center] or [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes]. Cambodian nationals can get the shot at Marie Stopes for 6,000 riels. It will be a different price for non-Cambodians.

At Western Pharmacy, you can buy Yasmin ($12.56), Meliane ($5.10) and Desolon ($6.50). At UCare Pharma, you can buy Minidril pills ($4.50).

* [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes Cambodia]: This NGO sells emergency contraception (the morning after pill) for 20,000 riel (for Cambodian nationals). It will be a different price for non-Cambodians.

You can buy Anlitin at Western Pharmacy for $2.30 (as of 2016).

* [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes Cambodia]: "Counselling and support is offered however it would be difficult to offer this service to non-Cambodian nationals primarily due to language barriers. Whilst there are staff with a good command of English this is not always appropriate for counselling. Although it is case by case and via booking through email we would endeavor to find an appropriate solution. Family planning and abortion counselling is free and part of any service."

'''Note:''' In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup here]. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click [http://menstrualcupreviews.net/best-period-panties-reviews/ here].

* [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes Cambodia]: Performs gynecological exams. For Cambodian nationals, the prices is 10,000 riels. For non-Cambodian nationals, they should book an appointment in advance and expect a different price (but it won't be drastically different than the price for Cambodians).  

Today, abortion in Cambodia is officially legal. However, many Cambodians remain unclear on the laws. Studies have found up to 80% of Cambodian women falsely believe that abortion is illegal. Forty percent of government providers believe that abortion is prohibited by the Cambodian Ministry of Health (MoH). In the past, many NGO workers also falsely believed that they would go against USAID policy if they referred women to safe abortion services.<ref>[http://asap-asia.org/country-profile-cambodia/ ASAP Country Profile: Cambodia]</ref> Later, with the reinstatement of the global gag rule under the Trump administration in the States, such organizations did face a loss of potential USAID if they referred people to such services.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/26/global-gag-rule-jeopardises-asia-health-initiatives-campaigners-trump 'Global gag rule' jeopardises future of Asia health initiatives, campaigners say]>/ref.> As a result, some women are referred to clandestine abortion providers. These "back alley" or clandestine abortion providers are often untrained, and their procedures can lead to complications or even death.

* [http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/ Marie Stopes Cambodia]: "We perform safe abortions within the parameters of Cambodian law... We offer two procedures – Medical abortion (up to 9 weeks) usually with Mariprist or Medabon. This is 100,000 riels ($25) and Surgical Abortion (9-12 weeks) 130,000 riels ($32.50)." These prices are for Cambodian nationals. For non-Cambodian nationals, they should book an appointment in advance and expect a different price (but it won't be drastically different than the price for Cambodians).  

====Women's Organizations====

* [http://connectinghands.com.au/connecting-hands-cafes-of-hope/ Connecting Hands Training Cafe]: "Connecting Hands is opening a training restaurant/cafe for young women who have been victims of trafficking and sexual slavery in Cambodia. Connecting Hands works with rehabilitated young women and provides them with vocational training within the hospitality industry as a cook/chefs. In addition to the providing training, Connecting Hands will take financial responsibility of all our trainees and provide them with a protected and safe environment, access to meals, medical care and a training allowance." Address: #13(show room) Samdach Preah Sokun Meanbon St. (178), Phnom Penh. Phone: 078 588 810.