1. Thida C. Khus, SILAKA- OGF Forum, Oslo, Norway 3-5 October 2011

3. Introduction to Cambodia  18 years out of two decade of civil war  Population of 14 millions  Likely not meeting all MDGs except MDG 6  Currently undergoes many reforms, including public financial reform  Has adopted gender as an advocacy for national development strategy 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia3

4. Project: Women Outreach to Women, WOW  Goal to increase women participation in decision making, especially in public office  Work in 9 of 24 provinces in Cambodia  Target women political candidates and women leaders at the sub national level, including women indigenous  Expand to include young women 12/7/20154Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia

5. Levels of Public Office National Parliamentarians ProvinceDistrictCommune 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia5

6. Approaches of WOW project  Empower women activists to reach out to their communities  Direct advocacy with relevant Ministries and political parties  Media campaign  Work with sub national level women leaders to take monitoring and supporting role to women activists 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia6

7. Tools: Local Forum, Dialogue and Engagement, and citizen report cards 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia7

8. Activities implemented  Training  Outreach activities to citizen  Day and night Forums  TV spots broadcast  Strengthening of the Women Political Activists network, WPAN  Direct advocacy with Political parties and relevant government ministries  National conference 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia8

9. Achievements  Number of women counselors at the commune level has increased from 8% in 2002 to 15% in 2007  # of National Parliamentarians increased from 19% to 22%  Women appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Governors in all the provinces and districts 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia9

10. Changes on the ground 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia10  Project to benefit women are on the commune plan;  Some successful raise funding on their own;  25% of communes contribution to help with community outreach;  # of domestic violence reduced.

11. Challenges ahead  Regulation in place to assure women election;  Turn number to quality policy implication for women;  Mainstream political parties agenda;  Monitoring local government 12/7/2015Thida C.Khus, SILAKA- Cambodia11