The training covered the topics of human rights, digital rights, digital media, and digital trends in Cambodia. Pre and post-test results illustrated that 73% of the trainees improved their knowledge regarding digital security and rights.
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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.
Breaking chains: A woman’s journey from a violent trap to freedom
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.
Empowering education: A journey to promote gender-responsiveness in teaching through public campaigns
Coming from a lower-middle income family residing in a small village in northwest part of Cambodia, Siem Reap, 25-year old Savong Chreub is now a sophomore attending a university in her hometown. She is one of the two members in the family who is pursuing higher education. Having the opportunity for higher education is not common among low-income families who struggle to make ends meet, where girls will be mostly to be pulled out from school to help the family earn a living. Chreub is a bright and enthusiastic young woman. Not only is she dedicated to her studies, but she also volunteers passionately for the NGO. As the second child in her family to pursue higher education, Chreub is determined to break the barriers that hold back many in her community. Despite being one of five siblings, she is determined to pave her own path and achieve her dreams. Her journey towards becoming an Education Champion, youth-led social media advocator, began at a Siem Reap Education Support Team (SEST) quarterly meeting where the discussion centered on education issues, particularly focusing on teaching methods. It was there that Chreub\'s eyes were opened to the concept of gender responsiveness in teaching. She couldn\'t help but reflect on the shortcomings she had observed in the education system. Gender responsiveness was lacking in the teaching methods and there clearly were inequalities within the classroom. \"When I was in high school, a teacher mocked me for not performing well in the classroom. I acknowledge that I may not be the smartest learner. However, instead of making fun of me in front of the class, she should have given more support and attention to me in her lessons,\" she expressed. She emphasized that \"teachers should try to understand the needs and support students without judgement regardless of gender, background, race, or capability.\" Additionally, she observed her classmates have been called mean names based on their sexual orientations or class performance. Chreub joined the NGO Education Partnership (NEP) as an Education Champion, leveraging social media to advocate for gender responsiveness in teaching and learning. Despite facing initial difficulties due to her limited knowledge beyond personal experience, she dedicated hours to learning from education policies, strategic plans, research papers, and reports. She knew that to effectively advocate for change, she needed to have a strong understanding of the issues at hand. For three months straight, Chreub actively created content on social media, raising awareness about the importance of gender-responsive teaching. Her passion and commitment led her to actively participate in discussions with SEST members during quarterly meetings and other educational events. Chreub acknowledged that the issue might not be fully addressed yet, but her efforts haven\'t gone unnoticed. Teachers and friends began to pay attention. They engaged with her social media campaign, seeking to learn more about gender-responsive teaching. Additionally, Chreub finds joy in echoing the concerns surrounding this issue. She believes it has a profound impact on students, constraining their ability to unlock their full potential. As part of its main objectives of building up education stakeholders’ capacity in advocacy efforts, the youth engagement activity that Chreub has enthusiastically led has incorporated more perspectives of gender related issues in education and how youth could start taking part in tackling challenges that affect them. NEP\'s implementation of \"Promoting access to quality and inclusive education for all through public advocacy campaigns\" encourages youth like Chreub to advocate for change in education, promoting equality and quality education for all. Chreub\'s journey exemplifies the power of a single voice in initiating conversations and driving positive change in the area of education.