Indigenous Identity and Gender compiles and tells the stories of ten Cambodian Indigenous women in Phnom Penh coming from the Bunong, Kreung, Kuy, Jarai, and Por communities. This study originates from the 4 Women, 4 Communities, 4 Stories initiative that brings together doubly marginalised women including those with disabilities, facing violence, having migrated from rural areas to the city, and Indigenous. Originally beginning with the determination of four women facing multiple barriers, this initiative now connects over 40 women, including those whose stories reflect the lives of Indigenous women presented in this work. This publication showcases the f indings of a study led and implemented by Indigenous women in collaboration with other doubly marginalised women. Through the participatory community research approach known as Facilitative Listening Design (FLD), two Indigenous “Listeners” surveyed other Indigenous women (Sharers) in the city using unstructured conversations. They collected data on their experiences and stories about their lives starting from their homeland communities right up to their present contexts living in the capital city. The voices of Indigenous women in Phnom Penh show a collective challenge for girls to find support to take ownership of their lives and to adapt and thrive in a mainstream society that marginalises their ethnic identity. Throughout the findings, insights are also conveyed by women who choose to share common phrases and stereotypes they faced – even from their own communities – in their journeys towards independence. The Sharers reveal, however, that determination and resilience can provide opportunities to succeed both as a woman, and as one with an Indigenous identity.
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