In Cambodia, Oxfam has been piloting a project designed to empower women and men to achieve greater gender equality at the household level and meant to be combined with livelihood projects. Managed by Oxfam-Québec, the Gender Road Map Project (2012-2013) is being implemented by local NGOs with target beneficiaries in Kampong Thom and Kratie provinces. Through workshops, coaching and counseling facilitated by Oxfam and partners, the spouses are shown other alternatives in matter of gender roles; they learn that gender is not static but changeable and that they can go beyond the socially prescribed gender norms. Through the design of their gender road map, the spouses are brought together to discuss their current family situation, their roles and duties as well as their needs and expectations for the future. They are then led to set their own objectives for the well-being for their family looking at the economic aspect, the way they interact with each other and their self-improvement. Tackling the issue of women’s double burden, the GRM Project fosters women’s economic and political empowerment in encouraging their involvement in livelihoods projects and community activities with the support of their spouses. This initiative also addresses the specific issues experienced by men and promotes dialogue between the spouses.
PROJECT GOAL:
To contribute to the economic and political empowerment of women participating in Oxfam Great Britain Women Livelihood Project in Kampong Thom and WASH Project in Kratie through:
- The promotion of fair division of labor at the household level and more egalitarian family relationships and;
- The capacity building of local partner organizations on gender issues at household level in order to improve their direct support to the empowerment process of these women.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- Increase recognition of the value of unpaid household work especially by men;
- Increase men’s involvement in caregiving activities and household duties;
- Improve dialogue between women and men on gender roles;
- Improve active citizenship of both men and women through networking and social dialogue to move towards gender equality.