The Women's Resource Center

These Khmer women are the future of Cambodia. The woman on the left, standing in front of the ancient temple, Angkor Wat, has both strength and endurance etched in her face. She is the woman, who through genocide and civil war, lost many family members and friends. These years of war left Cambodia devastated. Few trained professionals remained alive and now the government is being rebuilt. Among the many problems are inadequate health care, a very small and developing mental health care system, and the need for increased educational and economic opportunities, including Khmer and English literacy, employment and skills training.

The face of the women on right is one of hope and expectation. She can expect to have a better life and a longer one, but she needs help. Still living a village, she is learning English for her work with tourists, and soon she will need to learn a skill for the family she hopes to have and will need to help support. Both of these women, and the others like them on this web site, are the the women who will become leaders. And, as leaders, they will help to determine the future of their country.

The City of Siem Reap faces a problem familiar in the developing world. The poor from the countryside are lured here by the hopes of a better life. But, when they arrive they find employment only at the lowest levels as housekeepers, massage girls, as construction workers, earning very little money. In their villages they had support from family and community. In the city many women have no such support. There is no one to turn to, and no one to guide them in making decisions that will create a better future.

At the same time, there are women working and living in the city with better jobs but, they also are in need of health education, mental health assistance, and opportunities to improve their language skills. Some of these women will be able, with additional support from the Women’s Resource Center, to go on to further their education or they already may have begun climbing their ladder of improved economic opportunity. Still, navigating an increasingly complex number of services is difficult, and they need support. These women need this help for themselves but also for their families, for whom they may be the primary care givers.

Additionally, depression among Khmer women is very prevalent. Post partum depression, depression caused by physical and emotional abuse and from long term suffering from trauma and grief. Women from every economic level suffer and there is very little help available.

The Women’s Resource Center can assist all of these women, either through direct service or by a well developed and researched referral system that helps them get the information, education and care they need. It is a place where women can come and have an opportunity to discuss their feelings in groups and individually with counselors. Through the development of a network of professional referrals WRC can assist women in receiving additional help through other organizations and/or individuals.

An important part of the WRC is its staff. A staff that works as a team. This assures that planning, organization and operation of services are developed as well as carried out by Cambodian women. They direct the program, deliver services, are responsible for planning and program recommendations and continually evaluate the effectiveness of the program in fulfilling its mission.

The women pictured above are responsible for the planning and development of WRC. They are generous with their time and many are lending their professional expertise to the continued development of our program. These women, through their support, are helping other Khmer women who are not as fortunate. Therefore, we tell people that our organizations main mission is one of "women helping women."

Judy Larkin
Founder 2008