A Facebook post showing Sithong Sokha breastfeeding her baby while on duty. Facebook
The Ministry of Interior’s Gender Working Group expressed deep regret that Siem Pang district police chief in Stung Treng province had warned a lieutenant colonel about breastfeeding while on duty.
Sithong Sokha, the district deputy police chief in charge of public order, posted a picture of herself breastfeeding on March 2, saying: “Because I am a mother, regardless of the circumstances I must forget about shyness and do everything for my children. This is real life.”
Then on March 6, she posted another message on Facebook apologising for posting a picture of herself breastfeeding while on duty.
On March 9, Sokha was summonsed to Siem Pang district police headquarters to sign a letter promising to stop the practice.
Chou Bun Eng, head of the ministry’s gender working group and permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, said she was disappointed that Siem Pang district police had made Sokha sign the letter.
In a letter to the district police, she said: As a woman having to shoulder both professional and parental responsibilities … [Sokha] should have been admired for her willingness to fulfil such heavy duties despite hardship,
Bun Eng added that Sokha’s motivation for posting the photo had nothing to do with trying to gain attention inappropriately and there was no reason for her to be disciplined.
In general, public comments on Facebook have been highly supportive of Sokha and extremely critical of the district police chief’s handling of the matter.
Sokha told The Post on March 10 that the picture she posted of herself breastfeeding was just depicting the reality of being a working mother.
“My post to Facebook had nothing to do with my unit or anyone’s dignity. I just wanted to show that no matter what a mother with a child will always be there for the child, no matter how difficult or inconvenient the circumstances,” she said.
When reached for comment by The Post on March 10, Stung Treng provincial governor Mom Saroeun said he was busy in a meeting.
However, in response to public criticism, the Stung Treng provincial police took to Facebook on March 10, saying: “National Police chief Neth Savoeun has provided 500,000 riel and a gift basket of fruits and soft drinks to [Sokha] to commend her for her devotion to her duties.”
Gender and Development in Cambodia (GADC) executive director Ros Sopheap expressed regret that the Siem Pang district police chief had gone against the gender equality promotion policies of the government.
“It is not her fault, because it is necessary. I encourage [this] woman and appreciate that she [performs] her responsibility and takes time to breastfeed, because this is the life of a child, the right to be fed. It is necessary for children’s rights [and] human rights,” she said.
Also on March 10, the Ministry of Women Affairs issued a statement urgng state institutions to build a place for officials to breastfeed their babies while at work.
The ministry also praised Sokha for her for being a responsible mother and official.
“It demonstrated her good heart as a mother and her contribution to social work as a public official,” it said.
