Across Cambodia’s coastal regions — Kep, Koh Kong, Kampot, and Sihanoukville — women are not just workers; they are leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. They are building local economies at the heart of coastal development. They are proving that when women are empowered, entire communities rise.
Four women stand out as powerful examples of positive change. Their stories are not just about survival—they are about transformation, resilience, and a better future built from the ground up. They exemplify how targeted support, training, and community solidarity are real drivers of sustainable change.
Kep: From Silence to Strength
Ouch Rin found economic independence and dignity through entrepreneurship. Once an exploited restaurant worker, she broke free from hardship by starting her own business. Today, as a thriving mobile food vendor, she earns a stable income, supports her children’s education, and has reclaimed agency over her life. Material support helped her succeed not just financially, but on a deeper, human level. Now, she contributes to the resilience of her coastal community in Kep.
Photo: Ouch Rin stands against plastic pollution to preserve the beauty of Kep’s beach.
Koh Kong: Sowing Generational Change
Despite personal hardships and economic challenges, Chhean Dourng has become the backbone of her family’s farm. With training in business, leadership, and finance, she expanded her agricultural production, increased her income, and now supports not only her household but also her daughters and grandchildren. Her story is a powerful reminder that when one woman is given the right tools, she doesn’t just improve her own life; she creates lasting change for generations to come.
Photo: Dourng joined the Coastal Incubator Program for Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities in 2023, implemented by our local partner, Agile Development Group.
Kampot: Cultivating Women Leadership
Dy Sokna turned her deep knowledge of agriculture into a platform for community growth. Notably, she became the leader of a self-help group—supporting others through collective action and knowledge. Her impact goes far beyond her own vegetable farm. She is a source of inspiration, showing other women in her village that they, too, can be leaders, changemakers, and pursue sustainable livelihoods.
Photo: Dy Sokna like more than 2,500 farmers—70% of whom are women—have benefited from the formation of 132 self-help groups.
Sihanoukville: Cooking Up Change
In the bustling district of Prey Nob, Lim Lyhim is serving up more than just pizzas—she’s serving hope. Armed with business training, coaching, and a $450 impact investment through a partnership between AEA and Oh La La Pizza, she launched her small food business and sold over 2,500 pizzas in just seven months. For Lim Lyhim, it wasn’t just about income—it was about self-worth, resilience, and creating a better future for her children and her coastal community.
Photo: Ms. Lyhim’s success is a testament to the transformative impact of targeted support for women, their families, and communities. Initiatives like this foster entrepreneurship, build resilience in coastal communities.
Through the CO-SAVED project, co-funded by the EU, Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA) and its partners are empowering coastal communities to break the cycle of poverty, protect the environment, and build a foundation for lasting prosperity. Let’s continue to stand with women who are not only transforming their own lives but also uplifting entire communities.
When we invest in women, we invest in a future built on dignity, equity, and sustainable change.
