Meak Savorth, presenting her group work on an ideal woman

Celebrating the 105th International Women’s Day, the Life and Nature project of UN-FAO Cambodia (funded by the Global Environment Facility) launched its gender mainstreaming measures. In collaboration with Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Women’s Affairs (PDOWA) a Training of Trainers (TOT) session was conducted on March 8-9, 2016. The training strengthened facilitation skills and the capacity of trainers to apply participatory learning and action.  The participants increased their understanding of gender and women’s empowerment, and reflected on how gender-based violence impacts on individuals, households and the community.

Seven trainers participated in the event - four PDOWA technical experts and three project staff. The identified trainers already had considerable experience in promoting gender awareness and facilitation skills.  The participants demonstrated a high level of competence in using the training methods to roll out training for behavioral change to promote gender equality. “The TOT session strengthened my confidence in facilitating trainings and will help me in other community awareness events.  The tools applied in the curriculum are interesting and suitable for illiterate people. For instance, the pictures used as visual aids, drawing and small group work to engage people in the learning process. More importantly, contents for training with farmers are in line with the PDOWA mandate for gender and improvement of livelihoods being built up together. When spouses understand gender, they share household chores and respect each other in decision making, this will contribute to improve people’s life and livelihoods, Ros Methona, Chief of Bureau, PDOWA. 

      
A one-day gender training was then undertaken in Kulen Cheung Commune with representatives from community forestry and agriculture cooperatives as well as female members of the project pilot Farmer Field School. There were 23 participants including 12 women. The training covered four sessions on the differences between gender and sex; the influence of gender norms and stereotypes on women and men; gender roles and labour division; as well as impacts of recent climate hazards on women and men. Visual aids including hand drawn posters were used to generate discussion and reflection. Participants were very interested in the training, as gender is relevant to their daily lives.  They were enthusiastic to make positive changes for better spousal relations and equal treatment of girls/women and boys/men. “This is my first time learning about gender. I have heard people say gender and I was wondering what it is. Now, I have learned gender is about both women and men and beliefs of what women and men can do. I think men can cook too when they resist traditional ideas. I also enjoyed the small group work because we have photos and pictures helping us”, Male Participant, 46 Years. “It is my first time learning about gender. I learned some men feel embarrassed to do the shopping. I am happy to hear some men want to make positive changes in themselves. I think it would be much better for family when men turn to share some household chores”, Female Participant, 35 Years.

By Ms. Khun Sophea, Gender and Livelihoods Expert, Life and Nature Project, FAO Cambodia