A BRIGHTER FUTURE?
The future undeniably becomes a brighter place when women are empowered as change-makers for thier familes, thier communities and thier countries. Working as a WhyDev Fellow for development in Cambodia is a chance for me to contribute to
this future.
There are so many challenges we face as a global community; conflict, environmental degradation and poverty to name but a few. However, despite these seemingly overwhelming issues, I remain optimistic about our collective future.
IN A NUTSHELL
Cambodia is home to some of the kindest people I have ever met. Sadly, it lags behind its South East Asian Neighbours on the development front, with one in four Cambodians living below the poverty line.
What is the most powerful tool to overcome this?
Women.
In developing countries, it is women who are laying the foundations for more prosperous future generations.
Supporting SHE Investments, a social enterprise non-profit organisation, I am about to commence work in Phnom Penh to economically
empower Cambodian women.
I will be working with SHE to reach out to entrepreneurial women who have micro-businesses, to help them grow their enterprises to be sustainable and profitable.
To achieve this, I need your help.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
We are yet to utilise one of our most powerful developmental resources to combat these problems: women. When women are given political, social and economic power, their whole community benefits.
* When a woman is lifted out of poverty, she will typically bring four others with her
* Women re-invest 90% of their incomes in their families and their communities
* They also prioritise health-care and education for their children, laying the foundations for more prosperous future generations.
Along my short journey so far, as a committed student of development, I have become increasingly committed to progressing gender equality. As I continue to learn about the ways in which investments in women have the capacity to literally change the future,
the more passionate and motivated I become to contribute to a world where the talents and skills of women everywhere help to overcome inequality and conflict. This, I believe, is how we will secure a brighter future.
Living in Cambodia and being exposed on a daily basis to the challenges women face in developing countries has confirmed this belief. I am lucky enough to call some of these women friends, and they inspire me everyday with their tenacity and generosity.
They are strong and innovative and completely dedicated to creating a future with more opportunity and possibility then the one they are currently faced with.
SO HOW CAN WE CREATE THIS FUTURE?
SHE Investments is a social enterprise in Cambodia that shares my vision for a world where investment in women is considered smart policy.
In thier own words, SHE's mission is to:
"...support women entrepreneurs to unleash their power to change their own futures, their communities and the world".
By partnering with SHE as a WhyDev fellow for development, I will be able to contribute the progression of their mission to economically empower Cambodian women.
SHE has recognised that Cambodian women have an undeniable entrepreneurial spirit, owning over half of private businesses. This represents a huge potential to contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth and improve the living standards of some of the country’s
most impoverished.
However, most of these businesses remain small, micro-enterprises, and are relegated to the informal sector. SHE has designed a unique and innovative response to this, coming up with a business development program that supports entrepreneurial women, giving
them the platform they need to grow their ventures into stable, sustainable small-medium operations.
Program participant Thavry is a testament to the success of SHE's approach, commenting
"Since participating in SHE's program, I have increased my prices and income, and my confidence has grown"
(translated from Khmer).
Given that SHE estimates that for each participant like Thavry, a direct impact for 5 others will be created through income generation for families and jobs for other Cambodians, the potential for this program to create lasting social and economic change
is undeniable.
In a process of mutual-exchange, I hope to share the knowledge and skills I have already fostered through my studies to assist the expansion of SHE’s program wherever possible. Launched earlier this year, SHE remains in its infancy. Now is the ideal time
for individuals to support SHE’s mission as they prepare to scale up their activities to impact more Cambodian women.
By partnering with SHE as a fellow, I will have a unique chance to work directly with women entrepreneurs who are changing the landscape of gender relations in Cambodia. It will give me the opportunity to learn about how women with the talent and skills
to start micro-businesses in developing countries can be teamed up with to allow such ventures to flourish.
YOUR SUPPORT WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
So now we know that empowering women is one of the smartest investments you can make. And we know that women in Cambodia have demonstrated the potential to make a brighter future for their country.
They just need the support and opportunity to fulfil this potential. By contributing to this campaign, you are investing in the incredible work of SHE to provide this support.
You are also supporting my vision of a more equal world where women are empowered to overcome the collective challenges we all face. This is the first step in what will hopefully be a long and successful journey to promote gender equality. If you believe
in this too, please support me by donating – every little bit does help.
Also, please share this endeavour with your friends and networks that may also feel an affinity with this issue – there are so many causes out there vying for attention, but this is one that will help Cambodian women directly. Perhaps you know someone that
this will speak to!
REWARDS: CAMBODIAN WOMEN SUPPORTING CAMBODIAN WOMEN!
Women in Cambodia are each other’s biggest supporters. They believe in family and community and in each other’s strength.
When some of my amazing Khmer friends heard about the purpose of this campaign, to support women entrepreneurs in Cambodia, they approached me to donate their time and skills!
They want to thank you for your support:
Unique artwork – Sreypov is 17, is extremely bright and a super talented drawer. She will attend university on a scholarship thanks to these skills! She will draw you a unique piece of art to say thank you for your investment in women in
Cambodia.
Khmer language lesson – Leang is 21 and a passionate teacher. She is hilarious and very kind. She would like to offer a one hour Khmer lesson via Skype so you can learn the basics (or the swear words if you prefer!?) for when you visit this
amazing country one day! She is also a wonderful source of information on Cambodia, so you can ask her about what life is like here and what she hopes for the future.
MORE INFO?
About me?
I'm Prue. I'm 26 and grew up in Melbourne, Australia. For the last few years I have been chasing the sun in search of warmer climates and Cambodia has certainly ticked that box - currently I'm living in Phnom Penh teaching English. I have always been interested
in why the world works the way it does which ultimately led me to study International Relations. Through this study, I have become a passionate advocate for gender equality.
About the project
Check out http://sheinvestments.com/ for more details on the organisation I will be placed with.
For more details about the WhyDev Fellowship Program, head to
http://www.whydev.org/fellowship-program/.