Should Cambodian girls continue to study higher education? This question has been the subject of community debate organized by CCIM at Phum Ponley, Khum Ponley, Srok Phnom Srok, Banteay Meanchey Province.
Six women residents in the commune participated in the debate and they grouped into two. As they were watched by around 42 fellow commune residents with 32 women, they first group explained that the girls should continue to study higher education for them to earn a degree which they can use to earn more money such as having good employment.
The other group, however, argued that girls should start earning income after completing high school while they are still young and they can help their parents early.
As the debaters expressed their arguments they were greeted by the audience with various reactions through sounds – a sound of approval and disapproval.
The first group further explained that girls should continue studying so that they will not be forced to marry early, which is not healthy for girls having children at an early age, but the other group argued that marrying early can benefit economically as she will be earning income together with her husband.
The first group of debaters continued to present their ideas such as preventing the girls from resorting to working overseas to earn money if they will continue to proceed studying higher education, but the other group argued that letting girls continue studying will prevent them from earning after completing high school because they will have to wait for more years before earning money.
The subject of the debate was chosen due to the common incidence of young Cambodians migrating to the neighboring countries or working overseas seeking for better income.
The local authorities who were observing the event were apparently unprepared to contribute some ideas to the subject, but they expressed their strong support to the debate and recommended to continue similar activities because it is an opportunity to share their concerns and learn from each other.
The community debate organized on 14 September 2019 was the second event organized by CCIM under its project “Voices for Gender Equality” Project, supported by the European Union and DanChurchAid.
