Chhim’s Story – Cambodia

One of the strategies that Women Peace Makers uses to address gender-based violence throughout Cambodia is conducting trainings in gender sensitive mediation. These programs include community gender talks and other creative approaches that inspire open and reflective discussion of women’s rights and preventing gender-based violence. Chhim Sopharavy participated in the gender sensitive mediation trainings.

Throughout my daily life, I have seen and let myself believe that domestic violence is normal in couple life. Yet, after my engagement with WPM’s activities on gender sensitive mediation, I began to change my perspective that it is not acceptable anymore, and it must be prevented and intervened by everyone, including myself. The WPM activities have allowed me to gain knowledge on gender issues, women rights protection policy and laws, and especially the mediation techniques which are crucially useful and practical for my daily life and work.

I have since became more active in talking about these issues and begin to involve myself more in helping to solve the villagers’ conflict and make peace in my community. I also share lessons (legal knowledge and information on mediation services) with the villagers, especially women, so then they know and be more confident to seek help from the local authority, if needed, rather than trying to tackle it themselves.

On the other hand, I also changed my own behavior, especially knowing how to control my anger, not to react too hastily when there is something bad happening. Or, even in conflict, I have become more calm. Since then, I’ve intervened in two family conflicts in my village involving emotional violence. I’ve mediated their conflict allowing both parties to understand the feeling and needs of everyone and the couples have now had a better understanding of their own conflict and have gotten back together. Whenever I mediate, I always keep reminding myself to listen to both sides and yet with an emphasis on women’s well-being and rights since mostly women are not open enough to express themselves and thus more vulnerable during the mediation process. I am now happy and confident to contribute to making peace in my village.”

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You can hear firsthand about Women Peace Makers’ work to empower women, advocate for children and ethnic minorities, and promote peace and conflict resolution at two Pangea Giving events this October.

Voices from the Field: Cambodia’s Women Peace Makers
Co-hosted by Pangea Giving and Global Washington
Wednesday, October 17, 3 – 4 PM | Global Washington, Westlake Center
RSVP here

Building Peaceful Communities in Cambodia
A Conversation with Suyheang Kry, Executive Director of Women Peace Makers
Saturday, October 20, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Douglass Truth Branch of Seattle Public Library
RSVP here