In a quiet corner of the Trapeang Sangke Ecoourism Community, where lush greenery meets turquoise waters, a remarkable transformation is unfolding.
Women in coastal communities like Kampot province’s Trapeang Sangke, supported by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project, are seeing new opportunities to shape their futures and thrive.
Mann Yovay, a member of the community, is passionate about the impact the project has on local women.
“The future looks bright for women here,” she says, describing how the project is helping women-run small businesses, especially in sectors like homestay services and seafood production.
“We have fish that women can process and sell to tourists. This project is not just about boosting the economy — it’s about empowering women to create sustainable livelihoods,” he adds.
The project, supported by ADB and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is designed to regenerate nearshore fisheries and reverse the sharp decline of Cambodia’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
Targeting the provinces of Kampot, Kep, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk, the project is a comprehensive effort to address the challenges of overfishing, climate change and the degradation of marine ecosystems.
At its core, the project – effective from 21 March 2023 to 28 February 2030 – is about building resilience.
By restoring vital coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses, the project aims to make the Kingdom’s fisheries more sustainable.
“This regeneration is crucial, as it is expected to revitalize about 40% of the nearshore fisheries, leading to more productive and sustainable marine resources,” explained the ADB plan.
The project’s impact goes beyond the environment. It is a critical driver for local economies, especially in coastal communities.
One of its key focuses is to help diversify livelihoods, with an emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Women’s involvement in these businesses is a cornerstone of the initiative.
As the project progresses, it is expected to benefit over 200,000 members of Cambodia’s coastal communities.
By improving the sustainability of fisheries, restoring marine ecosystems and diversifying income sources, the project is creating a brighter future for these communities.
Perhaps the most heartening aspect is the focus on women’s empowerment. As Yovay’s story shows, when women are given the resources, support and opportunities to thrive, the entire community benefits.
Women in Cambodia’s coastal communities have long played a pivotal role in supporting their families, often running small businesses and engaging in traditional fishing practices.
However, gender-based inequalities have hindered their access to business resources, training and wider economic opportunities.
The Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project works to change this by providing women with access to training and resources that will allow them to scale up their businesses.
This includes support for women-run homestays, fish processing operations and other small enterprises that cater to both locals and tourists.
“The initiative also emphasises food safety, ensuring that the seafood products women sell meet high standards for visitors and, in turn, fostering repeat business,” said the ADB report.
The project’s impact on women in coastal communities is evident in the words of Yovay. She believes that as the project grows, more and more women will have access to jobs and opportunities — whether through running food stalls, offering tours or managing small fisheries.
“We want tourists to feel safe eating our food,” Mann Yovay explains.
“And we also want them to come back again and again. With the right resources, women in our community can create jobs for themselves and others,” she adds.
In addition to supporting women’s economic empowerment, the project focuses on building climate-resilient infrastructure.
“This includes modernising fish landing sites, building new jetties and implementing nature-based solutions to protect coastal areas from the effects of climate change,” added the ADB plan.
These improvements will make a significant difference for local fishermen and fishmongers, creating safer, more efficient spaces for seafood processing and trade.
The inclusion of women in these infrastructural developments is crucial.
Their participation not only ensures that women’s voices are heard in community decision-making but also guarantees that the infrastructure meets the needs of everyone in the community.