CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Accelerating Action for Girls’ Education

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to feature a conversation with Davit Choun, the Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Safeguarding (GESSI) Specialist at UWS Cambodia. As a leader in advocating for gender equality in education, Davit shares insights into how UWS is driving change for girls and women, addressing deep-rooted barriers, and fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments in Cambodia’s most marginalised communities.

Q: Davit, can you start by sharing some of the most pressing challenges girls in Cambodia face when it comes to accessing quality education?

For many girls in Cambodia, education is not a guarantee. While progress has been made, girls – especially those in rural and indigenous communities – continue to face significant barriers. Deep-rooted gender norms, poverty, and systemic challenges make access to school challenging. 

In the remote areas where UWS is working, traditional gender roles can prioritise boys’ education over girls’. Girls are often expected to take on household chores, care for siblings, and work on family farms. Poverty deepens these struggles, with many families unable to afford uniforms, school supplies, or transportation. Girls are often kept from school due to domestic responsibilities or early marriage.

Physical distance from schools is another barriers. For many girls, the journey to school is long, risky, and sometimes unsafe, leading to hesitation from parents to send them.

Q: What strategies has UWS Cambodia put in place to support girls’ education and address these gender disparities?

Our solutions must be holistic and multi-layered. UWS Cambodia works closely with local communities to raise awareness and promote a more inclusive educational culture through community workshops, advocacy, and discussions with parents. 

Ensuring that schools are physically safe for girls is a priority. We focus on improving school infrastructure by providing gender-friendly WASH facilities, menstrual hygiene support, and child protection policies to create a secure environment where girls feel supported.

A critical component of our approach is training teachers to adopt gender-responsive methods that challenge stereotypes and unconscious biases. This encourages both boys and girls to participate equally in classroom activities. We also work closely with the Cambodian government and local organisations to ensure that girls’ education remains a national priority.

Q: Community engagement is a vital part of UWS’ approach. How does UWS engage local communities to promote gender equality?

Local communities are central to creating lasting change. We involve parents, leaders, and other key stakeholders in every step of the process. We hold meetings and workshops to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education. We collaborate with other NGOs to conduct campaigns promoting girls’ enrollment.

UWS Cambodia encourages parents to take active roles in school management and educational decisions. Through our Mothers’ Groups, parents receive the knowledge and support they need to advocate for their daughters’ education. Empowering mothers and including them in decision-making leads to generational shifts in attitudes toward education. Engaging fathers and village leaders also plays a key role in creating male allies for change.

Additionally, we’ve formed Girls’ Clubs in schools, offering a safe space for girls to voice concerns, build confidence, and advocate for their needs.

Q: How are UWS’s teacher training programs helping create more inclusive classrooms?

Teachers are instrumental in shaping how children view themselves and each other, which is why UWS provides extensive training in gender-responsive teaching practices. Teachers are trained to be aware of and actively challenge gender stereotypes that may affect the way students engage with subjects or participate in class. For example, we challenge the assumption that boys should be better at maths or science and girls at literature or home economics. Our teachers encourage both boys and girls to participate equally in discussions, activities, and leadership roles.

Moreover, creating a safe, supportive environment is essential for encouraging children to stay in school. Teachers are equipped to identify and address gender-based violence, bullying, or child abuse, and trained in protocols to support students. Our teachers are taught how to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable reporting any issues. UWS also continually monitors how teachers apply gender equality principles in their classrooms. This ensures that the training leads to real, measurable change.

Q: Tell us about the impact of the Mothers’ and Girls’ Clubs in Cambodia. What have they achieved in terms of social and educational change?

The Mothers’ and Girls’ Clubs are at the heart of UWS’s efforts to empower women and girls. These clubs don’t just promote education; they create leaders – girls who stand up for their rights and mothers who advocate for gender equality. 

Mothers’ Clubs focus on providing mothers with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to improve their children’s education and to understand the long-term benefits of educating their daughters. In communities where early marriage and child labour are prevalent, these clubs help mothers recognise the importance of keeping girls in school. Girls’ Clubs are equally powerful. They offer girls a platform to discuss their challenges, build leadership skills, and learn about their rights. They are also taught decision-making skills and how to resist social pressures like early marriage or gender-based violence.

Thanks to these clubs, more girls are enrolling and staying in school. Currently, 11,137 students are enrolled in UWS schools in Cambodia, 48% of whom are girls. In the last academic year, UWS Cambodia saw a 92% pass rate for girls in the final primary school grade. These clubs have improved educational outcomes and changed social attitudes, with more parents supporting their daughters’ education and girls becoming leaders in their communities.

Q: Looking ahead, what are the next steps for UWS Cambodia in accelerating gender equality and inclusion in education?

Accelerating action for gender equality means going beyond awareness. UWS Cambodia is committed to expanding its impact to ensure every girl has access to safe, quality education. By continuing to build and support safe, gender-responsive schools, UWS will ensure that girls have a secure environment in which to learn and thrive, free from the risks of exploitation or early marriage. Our school environments will not only focus on physical safety but also address emotional well-being with ongoing support to provide girls with the confidence and skills needed to stay in school and pursue further education. 

UWS Cambodia will continue to support teachers on gender-responsive teaching, inclusive education practices and child protection and safeguarding. By deepening the training of teachers to recognise the unique needs of girls, children with disabilities, and other marginalised groups, UWS can accelerate action toward inclusive classrooms where every student feels seen, heard, and respected. 

Lastly, a key strategy for accelerating gender equality is ensuring that more women enter and remain in the teaching profession – to promote female role models for the girls. UWS will continue to focus on recruiting and retaining female teachers and advocating for policies that support their inclusion in the education sector, particularly in communities with low female teacher representation. 

Q: Finally, what message do you have for International Women’s Day 2025?

International Women’s Day is a reminder that accelerating action for gender equality means more than just raising awareness. It means taking concrete steps to break down barriers, challenge cultural norms, and create opportunities for girls and women to thrive. 

At UWS, we are committed to ensuring that every girl has access to a quality, safe education. Together, we can build a future where every girl is empowered to lead and make her dreams a reality.