Women are the heartbeat of community engagement, driving change and inspiring others

Through working with many communities, STT has observed that the role of women and women's participation is very important in the process of developing and finding solutions for the community. Participate and lead community activities.


Ms. Sin Sinoun is a community representative of Kao Pi community, which was formed in 2013. At that time, she is scared/ fearful person, and her community members did not pay attention to their own community issue. She participated in training courses offered by STT project and started to understand the laws and regulations related to land issues. She became a brave person and involved in many advocacy activities (marching) joined with other communities, to help her community and to support other communities too. The support from the project helped her even to become well-known as a strong advocate, and this was seen as bad in another eye (bad guy). So, she was offered a deal (up to 100.000 US$) for her to stop involve/lead advocacy activities, but she did not agree due to the concern of losing trust and confidence from community, and she did not want to do things against her will.


“After attending a number of training courses offered by the project, I observed a number of changes: community leaders changed attitudes to focus on common interests than before, and community members changed mind to participate more…”


Currently, other communities appreciate support and encouragement from Ms. Sinoun to do community work, they learn from her and consider her a role model and a source of good support.


Ms. Chhi ib is a community representative of Veal Sbov community, which was formed in 2013. 
Before receiving intervention from STT, she was scared and did not fully understand human rights, land law, and advocacy skills. Her community was less harmonious, and members were less involved in community activities. After attending STT, she became a recognized and appreciated community representative, actively working with stakeholders to find solutions so the community could obtain title deeds and improve their way of life and livelihood. Today, her community has successfully obtained land titles after years of effort.


“After learning with the project, community members loss of fears to joint with community leaders harmoniously, and more people could be mobilized to participate”


Ms. Oun Srey Mom, a community representative of Chhma Aeot community, was like an ordinary woman who took care of her household. However, after getting involved with STT, she gained knowledge and changed her attitude. She has been recognized by community members and local authorities for her active role and impact on the community. Her efforts have led to many outcomes, such as dialogues with local authorities and involving them in community events like cleaning, and upgrading infrastructure (roads, solar power, and water supply).


“Just a year after have learned the laws and rights with the project, I changed to be braver, dare to talk to authorities and make requests, and there is more participation from community members”.

Nowadays, Ms. Srey Mom is an outstanding community member who contributes to community development, fostering unity and creating a more active and better community environment.
Through the stories of women representing the above communities, we can conclude that women do indeed play an important role in promoting positive change in the community.
STT worked with Urban poor communities, mostly in Phnom Penh, identifying 37 target communities based on criteria such as lack of land titles, low infrastructure, and risk of eviction. Through various interventions, they equipped these communities with the knowledge and skills to advocate for better land solutions, providing training and producing advocacy tools such as maps, legal advice sheets, and research for evidence-based advocacy.