WaterAid
Strengthening Women’s WASH leadership in Cambodia In Cambodia, there are many barriers to women’s access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and leadership across government, utilities, private companies and civil society organisations. WaterAid conducted a Gender Power Analysis drawing on perspectives of men and women from national and provincial levels through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and synthesis workshops to document attitudes and barriers to women’s participation in the WASH sector. The assessment found there was a lack of confidence, skills and representation of women in decision-making roles. Building on these assessments, WaterAid developed and led a Women’s Leadership Training Program to build women WASH professionals’ networks and leadership confidence. Women who participated in the program reported increased capacity and confidence to express opinions around male colleagues, increased leadership skills, improved public speaking, greater support from their supervisors and some reported promotions.
30 | WaterAid Annual Report 2020/21
Ms Ouk Sopheary is the Deputy District Governor of Rolea B’ier district.
“Before I didn’t know much about WASH, but after I joined a lot of activities with WaterAid such as training, workshop, and field activities, I have gained much knowledge on WASH and I have confidence to push and speak with community people and senior government leaders in WASH. Now I committed to improve my district to be ODF and push local authorities to take more actions on WASH improvement” - Ms Ouk Sopheary (pictured)
