- Abortion legal status
- Legal
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: intrepidtravel.com, hersafevoyage.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- You do not have to file a police report to receive a medical/forensic exam after an assault in Phnom Penh — you can preserve evidence and decide later whether to report.
- A female doctor or nurse cannot be guaranteed for forensic examinations, so consider asking in advance or bringing a trusted companion or interpreter.
- Emergency contraception is sold over-the-counter at most pharmacies without a prescription in practice, even though some brands technically require one by law — look for a pharmacy with a green cross sign and air conditioning, which tends to indicate a more reliable, English-speaking outlet.
- Counterfeit or expired medication is a known issue at some smaller Phnom Penh pharmacies — buy only clearly branded, unexpired, unblistered-looking medication, and avoid unmarked tablets.
- NGOs like Marie Stopes Cambodia and Population Services Khmer often provide contraception, including EC and IUDs, for free or at reduced cost compared to private clinics.
- Abortion is legal on request up to 12 weeks in Cambodia, but many upscale, foreign-oriented clinics quietly decline to perform the procedure — call ahead to confirm before showing up.
- Marie Stopes (MSI) clinics are generally the most reliable, judgment-free option for foreigners, with a set foreigner rate around $100 for the procedure itself.
- Pharmacy-bought abortion pills (Medabon) are cheap and widely available, but Cambodian doctors strongly advise against self-administering without medical supervision because of bleeding-related emergency risk.
- Because Cambodia's economy is heavily dollarized, nearly all clinics and hospitals quote and charge in US dollars directly, even though the Riel (KHR) is the official currency.
- Social stigma around abortion (especially for unmarried women) is real and can affect how staff treat you at less internationally-oriented facilities — bringing a Khmer-speaking companion or booking an English-speaking provider in advance can smooth the process.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
General travel-safety sources describe verbal street harassment in Cambodia as relatively uncommon, and say women can generally walk alone without being bothered, though city-specific safety guides note that catcalling and unwanted comments from men (both local and foreign) do occur, particularly around nightlife areas and from tuk-tuk drivers trying to negotiate fares.
Walking Alone at Night
Central, well-populated neighborhoods such as BKK1 and Tonle Bassac are generally considered to have decent street lighting and feel reasonably okay to walk through at night, while Sisowath Quay (the Riverside) is flagged as poorly lit and better avoided on foot after dark, with a tuk-tuk recommended instead. Sources generally advise against walking alone late at night anywhere in the city, especially past midnight when quiet streets empty out and snatch-theft risk rises.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
App-based rides through Grab or PassApp are consistently recommended over flagging down a tuk-tuk or taxi on the street, since the apps show the fare upfront, log the route and driver details, and avoid the on-the-spot overcharging that is common with street-hailed rides. Guides specifically warn against picking up a tuk-tuk from a line of drivers waiting outside a bar late at night, suggesting a ride be booked elsewhere instead.
Petty Theft and Bag/phone Snatching
The most consistently documented physical risk for women (and travelers generally) in Phnom Penh is motorbike-based bag and phone snatching rather than violent crime, concentrated along the Riverside and near markets. Practical advice includes not holding a phone out near the curb while walking, wearing a bag across the body on the side away from traffic, and avoiding flashing cash or jewelry.
Nightlife Precautions and Drink Spiking
Drink spiking is described as not unheard of in Phnom Penh's clubs and bars, with some sources also mentioning rumors of predatory tuk-tuk drivers lingering near bars to target intoxicated women leaving alone. Recommended precautions include staying with a group at night, keeping drinks in sight at all times, and booking a ride home through an app rather than walking back once a nightlife strip empties out.
Access Routes
NGO/specialist Reproductive Health Clinics
- Detail
- Marie Stopes Cambodia (MSI) is the best-known chain offering both medical (pill, up to ~9 weeks) and surgical (MVA, up to 12 weeks) abortion, plus contraception and post-abortion care. It has multiple branches including in Phnom Penh.
- Cost For Foreigners
- KHR 400,400
- Notes
- The quoted foreigner rate covers the procedure itself; an optional English-speaking translator can add roughly $50 if the doctor on duty does not speak English.
Public/general Hospitals
- Detail
- Calmette Hospital (a major public hospital) will perform abortions, including later-term ones when legal criteria (e.g. miscarriage, abnormal fetal development) are met, and has some English-speaking doctors, though its general reputation among expats is mixed. Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, a private hospital, will generally only perform the procedure if the mother's life is at risk.
- Cost Example
- KHR 1,801,800
- Notes
- Cost example is for a D&C after miscarriage reported by an expat, taking about two days.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) at Private Clinics/hospitals
- Detail
- Surgical abortion via MVA is the most common in-clinic method and is offered at both public facilities and private clinics/hospitals.
- Cost Range
- KHR 1,001,000
- Cost Range High
- KHR 1,801,800
Pharmacy-sourced Medical Abortion Pills
- Detail
- Mifepristone and misoprostol (branded as Medabon) are registered in Cambodia and sold at pharmacies and a limited number of clinics; a prescription may or may not be enforced depending on the individual pharmacy. Cambodian doctors caution strongly against self-administering without medical supervision because of bleeding-management risk.
- Approx Pill Cost
- KHR 60,060
Telemedicine / Harm-reduction Platforms
- Detail
- International telehealth services such as safe2choose provide counseling and medication-abortion support tailored to Cambodian legislation, which can help bridge access gaps, particularly for women outside Phnom Penh.
Referral Contacts
Marie Stopes Cambodia Hotline
- Contact
- +855 023 994 083 / hotline@mariestopes.org.kh
Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)
- Contact
- 077 995 394
Fertility Clinic of Cambodia
- Contact
- +855 12 55 23 30 / +855 23 222 295
OB-GYN Options In Phnom Penh
Royal Phnom Penh Hospital – Obstetrics & Gynecology Center
- Type
- Private hospital OB-GYN department
- Services
- Preventive care, diagnostics, comprehensive health screenings, antenatal care and delivery; well-established, modern facility with trained doctors and nurses.
- Abortion Note
- Will generally only perform termination if the mother's life is at risk.
Procare Medical Center
- Type
- International/private clinic
- Services
- French- and English-speaking gynecologist/OB-GYN offering gynecological check-ups, pregnancy follow-up, contraception, fertility care, and menopause support.
- Languages
- English and French
Orienda Polyclinic / Orienda International Hospital
- Type
- Private polyclinic/hospital, Gynecology department
- Location
- Street 466, Tonle Bassak, Chamkarmon
- Services
- General gynecology and obstetric care for women of all ages; located in Tonle Bassak, Chamkarmon.
Orchid Hospital (Koh Pich Branch)
- Type
- Private hospital, dedicated OB-GYN & Pediatrics center
- Location
- Koh Pich
- Services
- Center of excellence for obstetrics, gynecology, maternity care and pediatric services in the Koh Pich (Diamond Island) area.
Sunrise Japan Hospital – OB-GYN Center
- Type
- Private hospital, Japanese-standard OB-GYN care
- Services
- Follows Japanese Society of Ob-Gyn (JSOC) guidelines; gynecologic health check-ups, transvaginal ultrasound screening, prenatal/delivery care, and uterine fibroid treatment (UAE).
Women-Baby's Center ANNA
- Type
- Dedicated women's health clinic
- Services
- Delivery and maternity-focused women's health clinic in Chamkar Mon offering discreet, personalized care.
Fertility Clinic of Cambodia
- Type
- Specialist fertility clinic
- Location
- Chamkar Mon
- Services
- Reproductive health and fertility services; also listed as a post-abortion-care contact point.
Assault Support Resources
Cambodian Women's Crisis Center (CWCC)
- Type
- NGO crisis center / shelter / counseling
- Notes
- Provides crisis intervention, shelter, legal assistance, and psychological support for survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual assault.
- Description
- A local NGO founded in 1997 whose mission is to eliminate violence against women while providing services to victims of gender-based abuse and their children. Its central office is in Phnom Penh, and it runs a drop-in centre described as a centrally located place of first contact for women who have been victims of violence, where cases can also be reported.
Phone Numbers
- 023 987 158
- 012 243 988
Child Helpline Cambodia
- Type
- National helpline (also covers young women/girls)
- Notes
- Primarily framed for children/youth but its mandate explicitly includes promoting gender equality and the elimination of violence against women and girls.
- Description
- A free, confidential national helpline based in Phnom Penh that provides counseling, information, and referral services, with an explicit focus on protecting girls and women from violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Phone Numbers
- (+855) 23 224 841
British Embassy Phnom Penh (for UK Nationals)
- Type
- Embassy consular support
- Notes
- Non-UK nationals should contact their own embassy for equivalent consular support; most embassies in Phnom Penh offer similar guidance.
- Description
- UK government guidance directs survivors to contact the embassy, whose staff can provide empathetic, non-judgmental guidance on local police and medical procedures and can contact family or friends on a survivor's behalf.
Phone Numbers
- 061 300 011
- 061 300 012
Medical / Forensic Examination Facilities
- Type
- Clinical / hospital services
- Notes
- The examining doctor is only required to produce a written report and is not obligated to share results with police unless the survivor chooses to file a report; a female examiner cannot be guaranteed.
- Description
- Facilities in Phnom Penh (as well as Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot and Kep) can conduct post-assault medical examinations, though not all clinics consistently stock PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medication, and a survivor does not have to report to police in order to be examined.
Cambodian National Police
- Type
- Law enforcement
- Notes
- Consider bringing an English-speaking companion or contacting your embassy/an NGO like CWCC first for support navigating the process.
- Description
- Reporting is optional and is a survivor's own choice; official guidance warns that some officers have limited English and may improperly ask for a fee to file a complaint, which is illegal.
Phone Numbers
- 117 (general police emergency)
Key Providers
Marie Stopes Cambodia
- Type
- NGO reproductive health clinic
- Contact
- WhatsApp: 093 240 823; phone: 012 999 002 / 098 999 102
- Services
- Emergency contraception, oral contraceptive pills, IUDs, implants, and family planning consultations.
Population Services Khmer (PSK)
- Type
- NGO reproductive health provider
- Address
- No. 29, Street 334, Boeung Keng Kang 1, Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
- Contact
- (855-23) 210 814; email generalinfo@psk.org.kh
- Services
- May provide EC (Next 72 brand) or IUD insertion, sometimes free or at reduced cost.
Anna Women-Baby's Center
- Type
- Private clinic
- Contact
- +855 98 800 921 (English, Khmer, Russian spoken)
- Services
- Contraception and women's health consultations; a private clinic (not an NGO), so pricing is likely higher than subsidized providers, but care is generally considered high-quality.
Methods Available
- Price
- KHR 20,000
- Access
- Widely available over-the-counter at pharmacies across Phnom Penh under brand names such as Pregnon (effective within 120 hours) and Anlitin. If dedicated EC isn't available, regular oral contraceptive pills can be used as a substitute in a pinch.
- Price Caveat
- Price varies significantly by brand and pharmacy; this is a rough mid-range estimate for a common EC brand, not an official fixed price.
- Price
- KHR 4,000
Approximate cost for a subsidized brand (e.g., 'OK') per monthly pack; premium imported brands cost more.
- Access
- Sold without a prescription at pharmacies, or obtainable through NGO clinics such as Marie Stopes Cambodia. Common brands include FMP, Anna, Minidril, Microgynon ED, and the subsidized low-cost 'OK' brand.
Population Services Khmer (PSK): (855-23) 210 814
- Access
- Available through NGO reproductive-health providers such as Population Services Khmer (PSK) and Marie Stopes Cambodia, as well as at hospitals/health centers; requires insertion by a trained provider.
- Access
- Available through the same NGO/clinic network (Marie Stopes Cambodia, PSK) and at government health centers; requires a trained provider for insertion/removal.
Law Summary
Abortion in Cambodia is legal on request within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a right established under a 1997 revision of the abortion law. After 12 weeks, termination is only legally permitted if the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or health, resulted from rape, or the fetus has a serious, incurable condition — and in those cases at least two medical personnel must approve the procedure. Only medical doctors, medical assistants, or midwives are legally authorized to perform the procedure, and informed consent from the pregnant woman is required.
Legal Status
Fully legal and regulated
Abortion Time Limits
- On Request
- Up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, no justification required.
- Post 12 Weeks
- Legal only for risk to the woman's life/health, rape, or severe fetal abnormality, with two-provider sign-off required.
- Medical Method Cutoff
- Medabon (mifepristone + misoprostol combination) and other medical (pill-based) protocols are generally offered up to about 9-13 weeks depending on the provider; most Phnom Penh clinics cap medical abortion at 9 weeks and switch to surgical (MVA) for 9-12 weeks.
Practical And Cultural Notes
Practical And Cultural Notes
- Even though abortion is legal, unmarried women seeking one face significant social stigma rooted in Buddhist cultural norms around premarital sex, which drives some women toward informal, unsafe methods like traditional 'deep massage' abortion.
- Some higher-end, foreign-oriented hospitals and clinics with English-speaking, internationally trained staff decline to perform terminations (or even post-miscarriage D&Cs) and Khmer-only clinics may be reluctant to treat foreign patients, so it is worth calling ahead to confirm a provider will treat non-Khmer speakers.
- A Phnom Penh doctor's general advice reported was that, resources permitting, some expats consider going abroad (e.g. to Thailand) for termination given inconsistent hospital comfort levels in Cambodia — though Thai law itself is more restrictive.
Legal Status
Fully legal and regulated
General Access
Birth control pills, IUDs, implants, and emergency contraception are all legal in Cambodia. Oral contraceptives can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies, and emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is also commonly sold over-the-counter, even though a prescription is technically required by law for some branded products — enforcement of that requirement is inconsistent.
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Phnom Penh
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.