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| This is Sothida |
Equitable Cambodia (EC) was created out of the localization of an NGO by Bridges Across Borders Cambodia. However, that branched off to become Equitable Cambodia which is not locally run by Cambodians. They goals as an organization are community organization, rights educations, empowerment, research, and advocacy. With 48 local employees (20 of them are female), EC has been run by Cambodians since 2003. Currently, most of their cases include issues of land grabbing, conducting legal training, and community organization.
EC working mainly with people and empowering them to stand up for their own rights. This allows them to work in many different areas such as health, food security, and education but also puts them at odds with the local government. EC working with local law students for universities as interns to help develop their skills. Many of the current employees at EC started as interns. Sothida was one of those interns, who know is heading the Community Organization for Housing Rights Program. She said that she wanted to work for ED because she has a passion to practice law in Cambodia. She wanted to help find justice for poor people in her country and how gets the opportunity to promote that law for the people of Cambodia.
One of the projects that EC has taken on is helping local communities organize against large sugar farmers to prevent land grabbing or educate them in what they may do to fight for their rights at Cambodians. This is dangerous work because of the government system, but it is clear that each and every one of these employees is passionate and eager about their work to better their own communities. It is inspiring to see a group of Cambodians take charge of their rights and fight for what they want their fugues to look like. Sothida and her team are continuing to add drops to the bucket of Cambodia.
