Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children

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.