Gender Equality Cambodia Project #43806

Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children

by Women's Resource Center

Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children

Project Report | Mar 24, 2025
WRC keeps providing a safe place for women <3

By Rosario Hernandez | Donor Relations Manager

Dear friend,

In the last few months, our team has been working hard to help women feel safer in their lives. The team provided comprehensive counseling and referral services to 22 clients, including referrals for legal support (3 cases) and vocational training skills (1 case).

The team also conducted home visits and assessments with 39 families to better
understand their needs and challenges. In terms of case management, the team handled 63
cases (50 females and 13 males), with 22 new cases opened during the reporting period.
Furthermore, the project organized Men Coffee Talk sessions with 12 men, focusing on key
topics such as gender roles, stress management, positive behavior changes, and effective
communication within families. These initiatives aimed to empower individuals, strengthen
family dynamics, and address critical issues within the community.

At the end of the fiscal year, the project team conducted annual reflection meetings with
groups of parents, men, and clients who participated in the training sessions and project
services. These meetings aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the project and gather valuable
inputs for planning the upcoming year. A total of 53 participants, including 25 females and 2
children, attended the meeting at Somadevi Hotel in Siem Reap Town. The participants
represented various locations, including Siem Reap, Chreav, Teukvil, Srangre, Sambour,
Samrongyo, Sala Kamroek, Krabe Riel, Svay Dangkum, Kork Chak, and Slakram.

The participants also highlighted how the project had improved their
communication skills and strengthened family relationships. Additionally, they requested
more awareness-raising activities for themselves and their communities, as well as the
development of booklets summarizing session topics with pictures for easy reference and
wider dissemination.

The project team actively participated in a network meeting with various partners to promote services, seek support, and present the results of the 2024 action plan implementation.

During the meeting, the team also outlined the implementation direction for 2025 as part of
the Provincial Administration's CPC initiatives. Additionally, the team took part in the
Cambodian Spoon Festival, where certificates were awarded to recognize outstanding
contributions. The event saw a total of 519 participants, including 231 females and 288
males, fostering collaboration and engagement among stakeholders to advance the project's
goals and community impact.

I also want to tell you about our Safer Cities for Girls project. The Safer Cities for Girls (SCG) project aims to build safe, inclusive cities for girls by raising awareness among young boys, girls, and the general population about creating safer urban environments. The project also seeks to amplify adolescent girls’ voices in the planning and development of Siem Reap. This quarter, the project achieved significant milestones through the following activities:

The project team conducted 20 orientation workshops on sexual and reproductive health
and rights (SRHR) for 304 participants (188 females) across 8 schools and 2 universities,
focusing on key topics such as sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene
management (MHM), STIs, and HIV/AIDS prevention. These workshops significantly
improved participants’ knowledge, with pre-and post-test results showing an increase
from 48.14% to 87.18%. Additionally, the team recruited 79 Hero Ambassadors (48 females
and 14 LGBT individuals) through a structured process involving application submission,
screening, and orientation, equipping them to lead initiatives in their communities.

As part of the “My Body, My Future” campaign, the project organized the International Day
of the Girls on 12th November 2024, engaging 572 participants (326 females) in activities
such as soccer tournaments, exhibitions, and youth performances to promote girls’
empowerment and leadership. The team also conducted Training of Trainers (ToT)
modules for 45 Hero Ambassadors (30 girls and 7 other genders) on SRHR, MHM, and
gender mainstreaming, enabling them to share knowledge and skills with their peers.

To further support youth, the project launched the “Talk to Friend” Facebook page,
providing a platform for anonymous support and promoting gender equality. Additionally, 10
Hero Ambassadors (7 females and 3 LGBT individuals) conducted cascade training
sessions on menstrual hygiene management for 74 students (48 girls) at 3 target schools,
equipping them with essential knowledge and skills. These initiatives collectively contributed
to raising awareness, empowering youth, and fostering a more inclusive and supportive
environment for girls and young women.

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Nov 22, 2024
A multidimensional approach to Eliminating DV

By Rosario Hernandez | Donor Relations Manager

At WRC, our activities to eliminate violence against women and children encompass a range of activities by promoting mental health, legal education, and community empowerment. Here’s a summary of the last four months:

1. Wellness Center Services: The center provides a safe space for emotional support, mental health care, and stress relief. It offers counseling and referral services to individuals facing various challenges, including legal and food support, effectively addressing immediate needs and fostering a sense of community.

2. Counseling and Referral Services: The project successfully assisted 65 clients through counseling and directed them to necessary resources, such as legal assistance and hygiene supplies. By addressing these fundamental needs, the project helps to alleviate the stressors that can lead to domestic violence.

3. Parent Support Group Meetings: These meetings engaged 55 parents, predominantly women, and focused on enhancing self-awareness, skills, and strategies to prevent domestic violence. Key outcomes included increased capacity to protect against violence, better family support, improved communication, and emotional well-being, all of which empower parents to create safe home environments.

4. Men Coffee Talk: This initiative involved 27 men and aimed to improve their understanding of gender roles and enhance communication within families. By addressing stress and promoting positive behavior changes, these discussions empower men to take active roles in fostering respectful and nurturing family dynamics, thereby mitigating factors that contribute to violence.

5. Round Table Discussions on Divorce: This educational forum allowed 17 participants to gain insights into the legal processes surrounding divorce and domestic violence. By enhancing their legal knowledge, attendees are better equipped to navigate conflicts and advocate for themselves and their children, contributing to a community-wide understanding of rights and resources.

Through counseling, education, and community engagement, WRC, with your help, has created an environment where healthy, respectful relationships can thrive, thereby contributing to the reduction of violence in the long term.

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Aug 2, 2024
Counseling and Education to prevent violence

By Rosario Hernandez | Donor Relations Manager

(Photo has parental consent). Youth of SCG program

WRC continues to support the emotional health and safety of women and girls, provide essential resources for parents, and raise awareness about gender equality and women's rights in the community. Through various initiatives, we have made significant strides in empowering individuals, fostering discussions, and creating safe spaces.

Counseling and Referrals

We have established a Counseling and Referrals project aimed at providing crucial emotional and psychological support to women and girls. This initiative offers a safe and supportive environment where clients can raise concerns related to their mental health, women's health issues, family planning, and legal advice. Over the reporting period, a total of 55 clients utilized these services—42 received in-person support while 13 accessed virtual counseling. This indicates a growing trust in the program as a vital resource for emotional well-being.

Wellness Center Establishment

In April, we successfully established a Wellness Center specifically designed for women. This center serves multiple purposes: it is a space for counseling, a women empowerment group, and a resting area that includes a library, kitchen, garden, and spaces for yoga and meditation. The center enhances access to vital services and promotes community engagement, focusing on holistic wellness.

Safer City for Girls Project

The Safer City for Girls project engaged a total of 587 individuals during the quarter, with there being 338 females (including 304 girls under 18 and 34 women over 18) participating in various activities. The project team, along with youth ambassadors, collaborated with local stakeholders to organize numerous forums and awareness campaigns focusing on critical issues such as:

Gender equality
Girls' rights
Sexual harassment
Reproductive health and rights

Feedback gathered through engaging activities like group discussions and role-play was instrumental in tailoring the programs to meet community needs effectively.

Furthermore, we held community forums in three Sangkat of Siem Reap City to discuss crucial topics such as gender equality, parenting roles, and online child sexual exploitation. These discussions facilitated a deeper understanding of safety measures and strategies for addressing issues of gender-based violence.

Youth Engagement and Reflection

An important event was the annual reflection trip that brought together 116 participants (81 females). This retreat allowed youth ambassadors to share experiences, build relationships, and discuss gender mainstreaming, leadership, and community safety initiatives. Stakeholders—including schoolteachers, police officers, and community leaders—attended the reflection meetings and endorsed the continuation and expansion of such initiatives to additional communes.

Feedback from participants during reflection sessions highlighted increased awareness of gender norms, roles, and self-protection strategies. Participants expressed that their understanding of gender equality, abuse, and harassment had notably improved.

Positive Parenting Workshops

We conducted Positive Parenting workshops with the aim of reducing domestic violence within households and promoting effective communication skills among parents. A total of 42 parents (30 mothers and 12 fathers) attended workshops focused on communication, parenting roles, and child protection. Additionally, we held men’s coffee talks with 19 fathers addressing stress, anger management, and improving family engagement.

These workshops empower parents to apply the knowledge and skills gained, with the expectation of fostering safer environments for women and children. Continued engagement from local authorities is pivotal to facilitate knowledge dissemination and support the program.

WRC demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting women, girls, and families in Siem Reap City. The accomplishments in counseling, community engagement, and education initiatives underline the importance of continued and expanded efforts.

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