Mrs. LEV Malis, 27, from Pouk District, Siem Reap Province was married to a violent and cheating man for seven years, with whom she had two children. Mrs. Malis got depressed and did not dare to go out or face the problem. Sometimes she considered ending her life. She had no one listen to her or be her peer support but was instead blamed by her parents for not being patient enough to be a good woman.
One day, Malis met a leader of Community Based Organization (CBO), Mrs. Tep Mey, who gave her advice and referred her to the Banteay Srei Organization, which provides support to women who are victims of domestic violence. Through the support of Banteay Srei, Malis embarked on a new journey of hope, confidence, and be able to live free from violence. She left her husband, taking her two children with her, and is seeking a divorce, a decision that requires her to overcome many challenges, including social norms that frown on divorce and a difficult legal process.
On September 14, 2022, Malis decided to become a volunteer for Banteay Srei. She attended her first training courses on leadership, self-awareness and facilitation skills and then joined many other workshops about gender-based violence, sexual harassment, abuse and other topics. After attending training workshops and meetings, she gained courage, and shared some of her life experiences, including how she built her self-esteem and self-motivation. In December 2022, she had gained enough confidence to be a guest speaker in the 16-day Campaign to discuss the topic “End Violence Against Women.”
In early 2023, Malis started her own small business in Pouk Market, Siem Reap Province. Her business provides enough income to take care of her two children. She was inspired to share her good business start-up experience, including using digital technology and online marketing, with other women leaders at the Women Leadership Forum in April 2023.
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Pride Champions
KUY SovannChai, 17, is a student at General Education and Technical High School in Siem Reap province. Sovannchai became a member of Pride Corner’s core team after he participated in SOGIESC training conducted by Love in Diversity (LID) on August 30-31, 2023. Being a part of the core team, he frequently shares his knowledge to acquaintances about LGBTQI+ and SOGIESC in order for them to gain better understanding. Sovannchai believes that this is valuable information worth learning and spreading. He expressed satisfaction that CSS, through KYA, established a Pride Corner at his school. He believes that the Pride Corner serves as an exceptional place for fostering information dissemination and discussion related to LGBTQI+ issues. In addition, Sovannchai applied the knowledge he gained during the training session to participate in an essay competition focused on respect for LGBTQI+ rights and eliminating discrimination. As a result of his efforts, his essay was one of the top ten essays received. The competition was organized by KYA leading up to the Angkor Youth Camp. In contrast to Sovannchai, HEUN Chanmakara, 22, wasn’t always in agreement with the concept of LGBTQI+. His perception changed following his experience of volunteering with the organizing team for the 9th AYC. Prior to the camp, Makara openly expressed his disapproval of LGBTQI+ individuals during his guest appearance in KYA’s “I Know We Know” podcast. He perceived individuals identified as LGBTQI+ as abnormal and admitted to discriminating against them by avoiding any interaction with them. Taking part in AYC changed Makara’s mindset when it comes to LGBTQI+ and SOGIESC. Makara expressed that he understands these concepts better than ever before. “If a friend confides in me about their identity as an LGBTQI+ individual in future, they can rest assured that they have a supportive ally who will never discriminate against them”, said Makara. Similar to Makara, PREM Neth, 19, wasn’t always very familiar with the topic of LGBTQI+ or SOGIESC. After joining the same training that Sovannchai did with KYA and LID, Neth’s view was expanded. Neth shared that it was her first training about the topic and she, along with other students, gained lots of insights from the training, especially various struggles and challenges faced by LGBTQI+ people. Neth said: “I used to call names to my gay friends making fun of them. I didn’t think that the name calling was hurtful and affected their feelings. It was a mistake that I regret.” “I have since apologized to them and stopped calling them names. I also encouraged other friends to follow my footsteps as well,” Neth added. Neth’s story serves as a great example of how a bit of open-mindedness goes a long way. Not only did she change her own mindset, but she is determined to help changing others,’ including those of her own family. Neth expressed that her participation in KYA’s activities met with a lot of questions at first from her parents, but after taking time to explain to them, her parents approved of her involvement with KYA’s activities. PREM Neth is one of KYA’s core members who often participated in KYA’s activities, including sharing sessions
The more the merrier: Incorporating inputs into the draft land law
The ODC\'s Civil Society Support Activity: Cluster Anchor Grant initiative demonstrates the value of collaborative advocacy and strategic participation in achieving legislative reforms that benefit society. ODC\'s path, which focuses on promoting meaningful engagement in natural resource management and building social inclusion, shows devotion, determination, and effective action. Our effort ensures that the voices of communities, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are not only heard but also integrated into the drafting process of the Land Law, which governs land rights and management in Cambodia. In January 2024, ODC began the process by formally requesting the draft Land Law from the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC), paving the way for collaborative involvement. When ODC received the draft Land Law in February 2024, its team immediately began mobilizing efforts. ODC organized coordinated events and dialogues to promote extensive consultations and discussions, involving stakeholders at both the sub-national and national levels. Working with legal experts, ODC ensured that the complexity of the legislation was clarified, allowing for involvement and informed input from the grassroots to the national level. ODC\'s collaborative efforts paid off, as we had inputs that reflected diverse viewpoints. With 60 pages of the matrix comments, ODC submitted its inputs to the Ministry within a tight timeframe (February 16), demonstrating its commitment to constructive participation and lobbying. Beyond the submission, ODC realized the value of ongoing communication and advocacy. Addressing gender equality in land ownership and encouraging continuous talks among CSOs, ODC highlighted concerns and options for future engagement with the Ministry. ODC\'s proactive approach resulted in a follow-up meeting request, indicating its commitment to ensure that ODC\'s inputs are not just recognized but also included in the legislative process. “Thank you! I appreciate the inputs and comments from the CSOs on the Draft Land Law. If the government asks the consultant to do it, it might take a million dollars to do so”, H.E. THENG Chan-Sangvar, Secretary of State and MLMUPC’s Land Law Working Group. The impact of ODC\'s combined efforts was clear when the Ministry acknowledged and integrated more than 15 points from ODC\'s submission, indicating a significant step toward inclusive policymaking. While ODC\'s efforts are not always directly acknowledged, the realization of their combined impact emphasizes the significance of ongoing lobbying and collaborative participation. Contributing to the new draft Land Law, ODC remain committed to working for communities\' rights and interests. Armed with knowledge, unity, and a common vision for a more fair and equitable society, ODC are prepared to face the challenges ahead, confident in its power to affect significant change through collective action.
From trainee to trainer: fostering indigenous youths’ capacity to proactively disseminate knowledge in their communities
The Civil Society Activity (CSS) project made significant progress in empowering indigenous voices, through its partnership with Open Development Cambodia (ODC) and Conserve Indigenous People\'s Language (CIPL) Organization. Acknowledging the limitations of training every community member, the project employed a strategic approach: transmitting knowledge from focal persons to their communities. These designated individuals have become conduits for information dissemination, resulting in a profound impact. Mr. Lao Bundinh is a 27-year-old Jarai indigenous youth living with his family in Pak Thum village, Pak Nhai commune, Ou Yadav district, Ratanakiri province. He had limited knowledge regarding social media, script writing, and other technological tools. Nevertheless, he had a strong desire to share his culture and voice with a wider audience through social media channels. He also faced a significant knowledge gap, particularly in the realm of digital security. Throughout his active participation in project activities, training sessions, and engagement with local authorities, he gained valuable insights and became aware of the knowledge gaps he needed to address. Despite encountering various challenges, including barriers related to knowledge, technical skills, and time constraints, he persevered and continued to pursue higher levels of expertise. He seized the opportunity to undertake the role of a trainer, conveying his acquired knowledge to indigenous youths within his community. His training sessions focused on topics such as Facebook security, Telegram two-step verification, and video production scripting. He also has gained the capability to express his insights and address community issues effectively through social media channels while sharing his knowledge within his community. He takes great pride in his personal growth and achievements, having reached this significant milestone. He remains committed to ongoing knowledge sharing and making contributions to increasing awareness among indigenous communities in the future.