Soroptimist International Foundation, in partnership with the Cambodia Community Dream Organisation (CCDO), continues to deliver transformative impact in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This initiative has already empowered thousands of women and girls living across six vulnerable communities in rural Cambodia, primarily through education, training, and advocacy. From July to September, project activities have reached more than 2,450 individuals directly empowering 1,072 women and girls through 13 health training sessions, 38 self-empowerment workshops, and targeted business skills training for 635 women and girls. These efforts have led to the creation of 56 new local businesses, fostering economic independence and resilience within the communities.
In addition, public meetings and community discussions provided platforms for dialogue, allowing women to voice their concerns, give feedback on public services, and explore strategies for early problem detection. A media campaign promoting women’s leadership further engaged local audiences, while support for disadvantaged women and girls to access health services remains a key priority. Meetings with local leaders, including commune chiefs and village representatives, have addressed significant challenges, ensuring that the initiative continues to drive meaningful change across six vulnerable communities in Siem Reap. This holistic approach highlights the Foundation’s commitment to empowering women and girls through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Training and Workshops
Training remains a cornerstone of this partnership between Soroptimist International Foundation and the CCDO, driving meaningful change over the three months. During this period, 13 health training sessions brought together 246 women and girls alongside local health professionals and community leaders, focusing on vital topics such as family planning, reproductive health, personal hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. These efforts have sparked a shift in behaviour, with mothers taking greater care in their children’s hygiene and health, leading to improved nutrition and quality of life for families.
In addition, 38 self-empowerment workshops and business training sessions engaged over 1,200 women and girls, including 38 SMART Women, Village Health Support Groups (VHSG), and other community partners. These sessions covered essential skills such as effective communication, decision-making, confidence-building, and strategies for starting and managing small enterprises. Practical business lessons included food production, vegetable farming, and service-based ventures such as barbering and motorbike maintenance. As a result, 56 women have launched their own small businesses, including raising livestock, selling Khmer pancakes, and running retail operations. These activities have not only empowered women to improve their livelihoods but have also contributed to the economic resilience of their communities, fostering a culture of growth, sustainability, and collaboration.
Campaigns and Social Assistance
The project team launched a vibrant media campaign aimed at promoting women’s leadership and encouraging greater participation in community activities. Using tuk-tuks to broadcast announcements about available public services, the campaign reached 2,450 individuals, inspiring women and girls to engage actively in advocating for gender equality. This initiative not only raised awareness but also strengthened the visibility of opportunities for women to take on leadership roles within their communities.
In addition to the media campaign, the project provided personalised support to address individual challenges faced by women and girls. Meetings with 18 women enabled them to connect with community leaders, securing social or financial assistance for those in need and facilitating access to healthcare services, including family planning and abortion services. Home visits to 187 families further extended the project’s reach, addressing issues such as family planning, financial hardship, and domestic violence. Through coaching and guidance, women and girls gained confidence to utilise public services, start small businesses, and set achievable goals, paving the way for improved livelihoods and stronger community integration.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
The project team has prioritised fostering meaningful engagement between community members and local leaders to address critical issues and enhance service delivery. This quarter, meetings with local leaders focused on key challenges identified by the Smart Women team, including domestic violence, land disputes, and marital issues. These discussions aimed to develop actionable solutions and improve collaboration between local authorities and the community. The Council Child Women Committee (CCWC) played an integral role in public meetings and campaigns, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by women and securing commitments from local leaders to address these concerns.
Public seminars and community forums provided additional opportunities for engagement, with 114 women participating in discussions on family planning, decision-making, and community planning, and 83 women voicing their feedback on public services. Key topics included the ID Poor programme and accessing vital documents like birth, marriage, and land certificates, as well as health services available at local centres. Roundtable discussions brought together diverse stakeholders, including village chiefs, health workers, and law enforcement, to address broader challenges such as economic instability, climate impacts, and gender-based violence. These initiatives have resulted in stronger community-government collaboration, direct support for flood-affected families, and plans to improve access to public services, empowering women to lead and advocate for lasting change.
Conclusion
The ongoing collaboration between Soroptimist International Foundation and the Cambodia Community Dream Organisation continues to create lasting and meaningful change for women and girls in rural Cambodia. Through training, advocacy, and community engagement, the initiative has strengthened resilience, fostered economic independence, and empowered individuals to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
Further information:
Soroptimist International Foundation is a Charitable Trust overseen by SI (Soroptimist International) Limited. Soroptimist International Foundation is currently managing legacies, Educating Women from War Torn Countries fund and the final projects of ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ Appeal (now closed to donations).
For further information or to make enquires regarding legacies, please email hq@soroptimistinternational.org
Donations to Soroptimist International Foundation are gratefully received.
An average of 34 UK pounds will provide a woman or girl with transformative training, funded by Soroptimist International Foundation.