International Women’s Day: Keep telling stories, even though the world’s eyes are on the Middle East
DC-Cam’s So Farina visits with Cambodian civilians who were displaced by the Thai invasion. DC-Cam
#opinion
While we live in safety and celebrate the 115th Anniversary of International Women’s Day 2026, which serves to highlight accountability and access to justice and security for women and girls, many other women and children are still living in conflict zones or border camps with little access to food, security, healthcare, education or and justice.
The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand not only left physical casualties, but also the territorial loss and displaced persons, which continues, in spite of the December 2025 ceasefire.
At least 50,000 Cambodian people, most of them women and children and whose homes and land were cruelly taken by the Thai military, are still living in makeshift camps.
A long-standing peace has been challenged and delayed by the Thai military and government. On the international stage, they preach international law and portray themselves as a peace-loving nation; in reality the Thai military, backed by its government, is building military fortifications and roads on illegally occupied territory, transforming Cambodian villages into Thai ones and posting renewed threats against innocent Cambodian civilians.
No timeline has been established to ensure justice is delivered. The Thai authorities have continuously rejected invitations from the State Secretariat of Border Affairs to resume joint survey and border demarcation work.
Despite Thai prevarications, the displaced Cambodians continue to share their stories. They long for justice for what was lost and remain hopeful they will soon return to their homes.
Their endurance, advocacy for justice and peace, and resilience are the only weapons of the victims. While the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day’s may be “Balance the Scales”, it is crucial that more be done.
By strengthening systems, improving accountability and ensuring access to justice for women and girls, the world can accelerate the collective action and strengths of all women and children around the world to reunite with families, receive justice and a long-lasting peace.
So Farina is DC-Cam’s principal-deputy director in charge of the Hill Tribes Memory Community Center, Mondulkiri. The views and opinions expressed are her own.
-Phnom Penh Post-
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