Happy 10th Birthday Banteay Srei

When, in 1985, IWDA began working in Cambodia, we hoped to build a strong and long lasting partnership with Khmer women, their families and communities, through income and food security projects, such as rice mills, empowerment and agricultural techniques training.

In 2000, after the phase out of the IWDA office, IWDA was proud and excited to support the establishment of Banteay Srei as an independent organisation.

Looking back now, in 2010, we can certainly say that a strong and long lasting partnership has been formed, through which we have learnt and grown together.

Greetings! I would like to introduce myself, Ann Wigglesworth, and I’m delighted to have now returned to IWDA as Programs Team Leader, my second time working for the organisation.

In 1996 I travelled to Cambodia to work with the IWDA Cambodia office (now Banteay Srei). At that time we were planning the implementation of an AusAID funded project ‘Food for Change’, a project including ‘Cow Banks’ and agriculture training that was set up to respond to the dire situation of the large numbers of traumatised widows in the aftermath of Khmer Rouge atrocities and ‘killing fields’. According to Thavy, one of our first Cambodian co-coordinators, at the time ‘people were only thinking of how to fill their stomachs’. But the cows became much more than an economic asset, contributing to the healing process for widows by becoming a part of their family. They symbolised hope and renewal.

In the field of international development, it is all too rare to have the chance to revisit communities to observe project impact over the long term. It has thus been an exciting opportunity to return last month to Cambodia and the IWDA supported Banteay Srei projects after 15 years.

There are currently limited services in Cambodia for women who experience violence, particularly for those who choose to leave their situation and seek support and shelter elsewhere.

IWDA partner Banteay Srei run an essential service for women in Battambang province and surrounding areas, through providing accommodation; medial support; women’s rights training; counselling; orientation on basic rights; basic health education; assistance in filing legal complaints; and assistance through long term rehabilitation and reintegration for women and their children who have left situations of violence.

We spoke with Panha Sok, Executive Director of Cambodian organisation Banteay Srei, about their work and the 16 Days Campaign:

Can you tell us a little about your organsiation’s work?

Banteay Srei is a Cambodian women’s non-government organisation that empowers vulnerable women to improve their political, economic and psycho-social situation through implementation of community development projects, advocacy work and encouraging men’s participation in addressing issues affecting women.

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, International Women’s Development Agency is pleased to share the Men’s Talk report, a detailed document presenting the findings of research undertaken into men’s attitudes towards men, women, and Violence Against Women in Cambodia.

The research was undertaken by Helen Brereton and Vannak Lim within the Community Action Against Violence Against Women (CAAVAW) project, which is implemented in Cambodia by IWDA partners Banteay Srei and The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC). The report is available in both English and Khmer, on the IWDA website and we invite you to share the findings with your networks.

Partner: Banteay Srei
Country: Cambodia
There are currently few services in Cambodia for women who suffer from violence. Women face barriers to security and justice including a costly legal system; transport costs;
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Community Action Against Violence Against Women (CAAVAW)
Country: Cambodia
Partners: Banteay Srei, Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
Funder: This is funded through the AusAid Australia-Cambodia Cooperation Agreement.
The project was designed by
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