Women migrant workers returning to Cambodia are becoming role models and leaders, sharing their knowledge and experiences to help create awareness of safe, legal pathways for those planning to work abroad.
Through the support of the PROTECT project (Ensuring Decent Work and Reducing Vulnerabilities for Women and Children in the Context of Labour Migration in South-East Asia), women migrants who previously endured perilous journeys, unsafe border crossings and exploitation are being transformed into community advocates.
PROTECT has supported the Cambodian Women's Crisis Centre in establishing eight Community-Based Protection Network (CBPN) groups in the Pouk and Krolanh districts of Siem Reap, bringing together around 160 women members.
Network members have received training on safe migration, labour rights, gender equality and financial literacy skills. They have also learned about how to identify and report cases of trafficking and violence against women as well as counselling and advocacy skills.
These have seen CBPN members successfully refer a number of critical cases, including survivors of violence against women, for essential services like psychological counselling, legal consultation and safe shelter support.
Amongst the participants 36-year-old Yeng Mab from Krolanh district. She is putting her new skills into practice by training women network representatives from CBPNs to speak out and take action, guiding them on how to report and document cases of violence and trafficking, and how to lead, counsel and advocate for other women in their communities.
Sophia Kagan, Chief Technical Advisor of the PROTECT project said, "This initiative has delivered exceptional results in building community-based capacity to support safe migration. Returnees bring valuable insights and lived experience that can help others migrate more safely and protect their communities from exploitation and abuse."
The initiative has also actively engaged the local authorities and police, training them on topics such as human trafficking, violence against women and victim identification procedures.
After a field visit to the CWCC, Xiaoyan Qian, ILO Director for Thailand, Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, said: "I was deeply impressed by the Cambodian Women's Crisis Centre's dedication and the sensitive, community-centered support they have provided over the years. Their work at the village level demonstrates how empowering women through knowledge and collective action can transform communities and protect those most at risk."
