Cambodian Women Unite to Safeguard Community Land and Ecosystem

In a determined effort to protect their communal land and its fragile ecosystem, women from the fishing community of Trapaeng Pris in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province are mobilizing against encroachment from private landowners and illegal loggers. Led by local resident Chan Kimcheng, these women regularly patrol the borders of their territory, aiming to defend it from threats that include the ongoing climate crisis, which has heightened the area’s vulnerability to forest fires.

Once teeming with life, the region was home to 50 freshwater ponds that provided drinking water, food, and livelihoods for local families. Tragically, only one pond remains intact today, the result of relentless private development that has decimated these vital resources. The community has traditionally relied on these ponds for fishing, honey gathering, and collecting wild mushrooms and plants, which were abundant with wildlife such as snakes, turtles, and Kork water birds.

Kimcheng expressed the urgency of their mission, stating, “It is rare to find collectively owned land with such rich natural resources. We must protect this place for future generations.” Along with her fellow “women champions” and local community committees, Kimcheng is pursuing an official land certificate to clearly delineate their land’s borders.

Photographer Sophal Neak, who has documented Kimcheng’s efforts, noted her profound connection to the water. “She feels safer in the water than on the land,” Neak observed, highlighting a moment captured in a photograph where Kimcheng swims gracefully alongside fellow campaigner Yung Chin. “When she floats in the water, she feels like she’s free.”

The campaign is not without its challenges. Kimcheng and her peers face intimidation from those who resist their activism and defy traditional gender roles. Neak describes this duality in her photography, stating, “It looks beautiful, but it also looks like danger.”

Chin shared her transformative experience through this movement, stating, “In the past, we women didn’t engage in social work. Back then, I was too afraid to speak, terrified of making a mistake, but now I can confidently talk with senior management.”

The community’s efforts have garnered significant attention, with Neak emphasizing the urgency of their cause: “If you don’t protect this area, it will be gone. I feel like they are real heroes.”

This compelling story is part of the “Women by Women” photography exhibition, organized by the charity ActionAid, which celebrates women both behind and in front of the camera. The exhibition was held at London’s Gallery@Oxo from October 9 to 12, 2025.

As these women continue their fight to safeguard their land and its resources, they exemplify resilience and dedication, reminding us of the importance of community in the face of adversity.