Your Excellency HAB Touch, Secretary of state of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Ambassador-designate Pablo Kang, Australian Embassy in Cambodia
Mr. CHEA Sopheap, Executive Director of Bophana Center
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of Oxfam, I am very pleased to be part of this important event on certificate delivery and film screening produced by our young filmmakers from indigenous community in Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri and Banteay Meanchey province. I would like to congratulate the young filmmakers for your great achievement today after the last 12 months of film and multi-media training under the project “Amplifying voices of indigenous women and discriminated groups through innovative multimedia”.
The Voice Project funded by MoFA ( Dutch Govt) implemented by Oxfam in Cambodia is very proud to have supported this project. The young people that were selected, have been able to amplify voices of indigenous women who have;1) Experienced gender-based violence to put an end to GBV, 2) Have limited access to economic opportunities andsocial services including health, education and social protection and 3) have limitedparticipation in community development. This has been done through documentary films following the principle “Nothing About Us, Without Us!”.
I would like to thank, Bophana, for your effort to make this event happen. Oxfam appreciates the effort of all the young filmmakers and how you coped with the many difficulties during the training and the documentary film production -. Today, we will see and hear the hidden issues that indigenous women and unrepresented groups are challenging including gender-based violence, education, health and other social issues. These films will promote public awareness and a more joint and systematic support from communities, duty-bearers, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to address the issues faced by indigenous women. This is a great and impactful achievement you have made, once again Congratulation!
As more Cambodians are connecting to technology every year, film and multimedia play an increasingly important role in capturing and sharing what is going on within our community. Multi-media collects evidence to influence the changing attitudes and policies for social acceptance of indigenous women and women with disabilities. Please remember that, you as young people are a precious resource with inyour community. They need your contribution to maintain cultures and develop rights that are protected by Cambodia and international laws. Your families must be very proud of your achievement today and please continue using your skills to support your community.
Oxfam will continue to collaborate with relevant partners as well as national and international institutions to contribute in promoting and supporting the most marginalized and discriminated groups to equally access resources social services and have better representation in the decision-making processes in their communities (locally) and at national level.
Thank you!