Democratic Kampuchea: Women

Young women fought as combatants for Khmer Rouge and served as cadre. Women were given a degree of political and military authority, though it seems to have lessened as one rose within the DK hierarchy (there were two women in the top leadership of the CPK, the wives of Pol Pot and Ieng Sary). There are many stories of women who betrayed their husbands to the DK authorities. The degree to which this actually happened is unclear, but the stories reflect the theme of reversal and chaos – women would even turn on their husbands!

Top: Khieu Ponnary, in her older years and when young.

Democratic Kampuchea: Hierarchy/Egalitarianism and Pol Pot : Source.