Cambodia

The results of the longitudinal study of WORTH in Nepal as well as experience in other WORTH programs in Africa and Cambodia show that women in WORTH village banks are frequently active and effective in bringing about community change. In this one-year pilot program in one province of Cambodia 30 WORTH groups have been formed and are accessing WORTH’s literacy, business and banking interventions. The pilot is documenting the effectiveness of WORTH as a means of promoting civic engagement.

Emerging results:

• 650 women were enrolled in 31 Self-WORTH Women's Empowerment Groups in Takeo province
• 124 management committee members trained on Village Bank Management and Accounting System
• 31 literacy volunteers trained on Adult Literacy methodology and how to use WORTH literacy book, Our Group
• 100% of women groups are saving and learning literacy
• Loans have gone out to 51 members valued at $830 USD. The results of the longitudinal study conducted on the WORTH Program in Nepal as well as the results realized in WORTH programs within Africa and Cambodia made clear that the WORTH model often creates women who are more active and effective community members. Pact has funded this one-year pilot program in one province in Cambodia to test and track the use of the WORTH model as an effective means of promoting poor women’s civic engagement.

Name: Self-Worth - Empowerment for Women at Risk
Duration: September 2005 - September 2007
Donor(s): Department of State, IOM, RESNET, Pact

Beginning in September 2004, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh provided support to Pact Cambodia to launch its two and half year Self-WORTH Women's Empowerment Program. The WORTH program in Cambodia targeted the root causes of women's trafficking: poverty and lack of education. The program initiated local women's groups focused on literacy, numeracy, saving led village banking to help participants to develop the means to be self-reliant. Emphasis was placed on empowering women to take advocacy action in their communities regarding domestic violence and trafficking. The goal of the Self-WORTH program was to reach at least 2000 poor women in Cambodia.

• Almost 3,000 women were enrolled in 144 Self-WORTH Women's Empowerment Groups (WEG) at the end of September 2007.
• Total collective savings reached U$53,180
• Loans totaling $38,856 have been made to over 1,500 women for small businesses
• 69% of WEG members can read and write fluently—up from 21% before WEG
• 10 WEG members elected as Village Chief and Deputy Chief
• 6 WEG members elected as Commune Councilors in 2007