THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
These Khmer women are the future of Cambodia. The woman 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 and the need for increased educational and economic opportunities. addressed. The woman above on the right has a face of hope and expectation. Both of these women and the others like them on this web site are the future leaders, the women who will determine so much of their countries future.
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, 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 be 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 assures that planning, organization and operation of services is be 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 governing Board of Directors, all women and the majority Khmer, further empower women as decision makers. And, an advisory group of Khmer women, who are selected from their participation in programs, will make suggestions concerning the programs. Through this participation as board members and advisors leadership skills are developed so that women may increase their participation i nthe rebuilding and strengthening of their country.
Judy Larkin
Founder 2008
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