Provide women and girls education in Cambodia

Dear Friends and supporters,

WRC exists to empower women with education, so that they have the tools for self-empowerment. To promote gender equality, safety, and empowerment for women and girls in Cambodia, particularly in Siem Reap, our program encompasses two interconnected projects: the Safer Cities for Girls (SCG) to foster safe, inclusive urban environments, and the Young Women’s Entrepreneurship (YWE) to enhance economic opportunities and leadership among women.

Safer Cities for Girls (SCG) Project:
Objectives:
- Build awareness among young boys, girls, and the general population about creating safer urban spaces.
- Amplify adolescent girls’ voices in city planning and development.
Activities & Achievements:
1. Capacity Building on Gender and SRHR:
- Conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) session with 38 youth "Hero Ambassadors" (25 girls, 19 boys, 4 other genders) from four schools.
- Utilized participatory methods such as debates and role-plays.
- Achieved a 50.18% increase in participants’ knowledge and confidence regarding Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

2. Community Engagement and Dialogue:
- Organized a community dialogue at Krous Secondary School with 75 participants, including youths, health staff, teachers, police, local authorities, and project team members.
- Discussions focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual harassment, and community safety post-COVID-19.
- Distributed educational materials (calendars, leaflets on Menstrual Hygiene Management, STIs/HIV, contraception) to promote accessible SRHR information.
- Facilitated open questions and dialogue, fostering trust and understanding among youths, teachers, and authorities.

3. Impact:
- Strengthened youth and community ambassadors’ capacity to challenge harmful norms, especially around menstruation.
- Promoted multi-channel dissemination of vital SRHR information.
- Improved stakeholder collaboration.
- Positioned youth as confident leaders in advocating for safe, inclusive, and informed communities.

Young Women’s Entrepreneurship (YWE) Incubator Project:
Objectives:
- Develop entrepreneurial skills and civic engagement among women aged 18–45 in Siem Reap.
- Support women in establishing sustainable businesses and amplifying their voices in broader societal platforms.

Activities & Achievements:
1. Peer Support and Networking:
- Formed a Women’s Support Group with 21 participants to share challenges such as limited capital, market competition, and time constraints.
- Facilitated connections with partner organizations (IDE Cambodia, This Life Cambodia, WRC projects), resulting in 31 women referred to relevant workshops.

2. Business Development Support:
- Conducted visits and follow-ups with nine women entrepreneurs to monitor skill application.
- Provided business grants totaling $3,600 to nine women who completed training and interviews, with a structured repayment plan over eight months, including a three-month grace period.

3. Digital and Financial Literacy:
- Led a Facebook Live session on women’s entrepreneurship, reaching 409 viewers and accumulating 1,500 views.
- Hosted a reflection workshop with 57 women on financial and business management.

4. Impact:
- Enhanced financial literacy, practical business skills, and peer support networks.
- Increased visibility and access to funding opportunities.
- Strengthened staff capabilities and strategic partnerships, expanding project reach and effectiveness.

This quarter, both projects have made substantial progress in empowering women and girls through education, capacity building, community engagement, and economic support. The initiatives have successfully increased awareness, challenged harmful norms, and fostered leadership among youth and women, contributing to safer, more inclusive, and economically vibrant communities in Cambodia. Continued efforts will focus on scaling these achievements and deepening community impact.