Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children

Here is all WRC did to help women of Siem Reap and eliminating violence against women and girls: 

Wellness Center

The Wellness Centre provided comprehensive counseling and referral
services to 33 clients in the last 3 months, offering indirect counseling in four cases, legal support referrals in seven cases, vocational training referrals in two cases, and successfully integrating two women into
local community networks in partnership with authorities and NGO partneres.

The team also delivered critical food assistance to one family facing extreme hardship and conducted home visits and assessments with 18 households to identify their unique needs and challenges. In total,
85 cases (72 females and 13 males) were managed through our case management system, with
22 new cases opened during this timeframe.

To strengthen family dynamics and promote gender equity, we conducted four Parent Support Group sessions attended by 138 participants focusing on gender roles, gender-based violence, fatherhood
in Cambodia, and healthy expressions of masculinity. Building on these discussions, 17 parents
from previous support groups and coffee talks were selected and trained as Parent Ambassadors,
receiving advanced instruction in child protection, family engagement, and facilitation techniques
so they can lead community education and outreach in collaboration with local authorities.

The House of Families (HoF) project continues to create a safe and interactive space for families
to connect, learn, and grow together. This quarter, the project team successfully engaged families
through a variety of programs and activities designed to strengthen relationships, build skills, and
foster community resilience. 

The project team organized 26 indoor activities, engaging 382 participants (171 females, 20
males, 104 girls, and 87 boys). These activities, which included playful, artistic, educational,
sporting, cooking, gardening, meditation, yoga, and salon events, aimed to strengthen family
bonds, build self-confidence, and encourage leadership skills among participants. Additionally,
the team conducted Men’s Coffee Talks and Parent Support Group with 2 sessions for 45
participants (20 females and 12 males, including 8 girls and 5 boys), focusing on critical topics
such as men’s coffee talks, the impact of drug using and alcohol, motivation and goal setting,
anger management, public speaking, financial literacy, and positive parenting. These workshops
also addressed child development and parent well-being, equipping participants with the
knowledge and tools to better support their families.

To further understand the needs of families, the project team conducted 6 family visits, assessing
the impact of the project and ensuring the program remains responsive to evolving community
needs. In support of mental health, the team provided counseling support to 6 parents from families actively engaged in the project. For families facing significant challenges, such as severe illness or financial hardship, the team delivered 11 emergency support packages, including health fees, food supplies, and legal aid, to help them sustain themselves and protect their children.

Additionally, the project facilitated family exchange visits for 18 families, allowing them to learn from experienced families in their communities. This initiative aimed to share best practices, enhance project management skills, empower families, strengthen community networks, and foster ongoing collaboration. These efforts collectively contributed to building stronger, more resilient families and communities.

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:

Capacity Building and Training: The project significantly enhanced knowledge and skills in Sexual
and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). A Training of Trainers (ToT) for 42 youth and Hero
Ambassadors from 6 schools used participatory methods (debates, role-plays, etc.) and resulted in a 49.88% increase in SRHR knowledge and confidence.

A separate ToT for 48 teacher/parent ambassadors (45 women) saw their average knowledge
scores jump from 56% to 88%. Additionally, WRC and TPO Cambodia trained 31 teachers,
parents, and leaders in basic counseling skills and psychological self-care.

Community Engagement & Awareness: Multiple successful events addressed SRHR and
menstrual hygiene. Youth Ambassadors organized a community forum at Chreav Secondary
School with 65 participants, tackling menstrual hygiene stigma and engaging boys. A larger
Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign (161 participants, 125 women) featured a walk, exhibition,
performance, and panel discussion, raising awareness and showcasing products. These events
effectively challenged taboos and sparked interest in eco-friendly menstrual products.

By this quarter, the project team has made significant progress in activities that empowered
youth and community ambassadors with knowledge and skills, challenged harmful norms
(especially around menstruation), disseminated crucial information through multiple channels,
strengthened stakeholder collaboration, and positioned youth as confident leaders in driving
SRHR awareness and access within their schools and communities.