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Cambodian women participate in a training of trainers
for women activists in Kampot in July 2004. The participants
attend a three-day course on recruiting new members
and then, on the fourth day, organize their own outreach
event. (Photo: NDI/Cambodia.)
Recently trained women activists visit small, Muslim
villages outside of Kampot town to recruit new party
members. In less than four hours the volunteers,
in their first ever door to door effort, signed up
283 new members. (Photo: NDI/Cambodia.)
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USAID/Cambodia supports democracy and governance and
human rights through programs that increase women's
participation in political life, build capacity in
governance, and enable women to claim their human
rights.
Women for Prosperity
In Cambodia's first multiparty commune council elections, on February
3, 2002, and the 2003 National Assembly elections, USAID
supported NGOs such as Women for Prosperity (WFP) and
advocated for inclusion of more women candidates.
WFP has trained women in leadership skills, campaign
organization, and public speaking. More than 900 women
representatives were elected, compared with a mere ten
women prior to WFP's efforts. With USAID support, WFP
introduced the first-ever
face-to-face debates among female candidates from contesting
political parties
in a lead-up to the 2003 National Election. The debates
were later broadcast on national radio stations and
reached hundreds of thousands of voters. The election
resulted in a 50% increase in women elected to Parliament
(15 MPs).
Women's Media Center
USAID enabled the Women's Media Center to purchase a radio transmitter,
which became the only independent radio station in the
country. Reaching more than 60 percent of the Cambodian
people, it is the only source of information for many,
especially about the challenges facing Cambodian women.
National Women's Leadership Caucus
The National Women's Leadership Caucus, which crosses party lines, addresses
obstacles to the participation of women in Cambodian
life and politics. With support from USAID and the National
Democratic Institute (NDI), this activity provides technical
assistance to Cambodia's
political parties, prepares candidates for open debates,
and assists with voter contact training and registration
drives, with special emphasis on women. NDI also helps
political parties develop women's
wings to highlight women's issues
and prepare them for leadership roles within the party
and wider society.
International Visitors Programs
USAID supports indigenous business associations to advocate
for economic governance reform and enhance the capacity of future leaders
from under-represented groups, such as women, through the International
Visitors Programs.
Human Rights OrganizationsThrough human rights organizations such as Adhoc, Licadho, and HCC, USAID has supported monitoring violence against women and providing services to survivors of domestic violence.
Cambodia Program Objectives
Education
Anti-trafficking
Democracy
Governance
Human Rights
Health
SELECTED ACTIVITIES:
Women for Prosperity
Women's Media Center
National Women's Leadership Caucus
International Visitors Programs
Human Rights Organizations
Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs
Cambodian Defenders Project
International Justice Mission
Shelter Support
Mith Samlanh Program
Educating Vulnerable Women
HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs
Women's and Veterans' Affairs Gender and HIV/AIDS
Working Group
Family Planning Program
Visit USAID/Cambodia link
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Global Snapshots: Cambodia
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