Cambodia is a diverse country and home to many ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities. Each one of them faces various challenges living with their minority identity in mainstream Cambodian society. This study engaged with 30 women from three minority groups across the country including Cham Muslims, ethnic Vietnamese, and Khmer Krom who shared their stories, challenges, hopes, and dreams. It was led directly by minority women from their respective communities who came together to conduct Facilitative Listening Design (FLD), a grassroots approach to better learn about people’s thoughts, opinions, and stories while leveraging the inquiry process to come together and build connections.
The findings draw attention to the challenges of minority women. Each community is unique but also shares connections to other minority groups in their experiences and daily lives. This study highlights challenges for women in three communities, but also brings women together across minority groups to support each other and foster a stronger collective voice. It also paves the way for doubly marginalised women to work together to advocate for change while continuing to focus on their own group’s specific issues and holding on to their unique identity – an essential component of the diverse Cambodian woman of today.
Read or download online free here: The Diverse Cambodian Woman (An Initiative of Our Turn)
