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Cambodia
To further understand how children’s
involvement can impact on the quality of life
experienced by children, primary research
was undertaken in Cambodia where child
participation is part of a strategy to prevent
child abuse or neglect. (Tools and techniques
used are discussed with regard to Cambodia
and other countries covered in this study.
Practical applications of child participatory
approaches linked to broader development
activity are explored in the Sri Lanka and the
Philippines chapters.)
Child protection concerns
identified
Support for increased child participation was
prompted by research into child trafficking by
World Vision and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) in 1998,
which identified the following risk factors:
1. An older sister, relative or friend is
already involved in prostitution.
2. The parents of the girl are separated,
divorced or have remarried.
3. One or both parents are dead and the girl
is living with relatives or friends.
4. The family is dependent on casual work,
in debt, or in extreme poverty.
5. The girl is of suitable age for the sex industry.
6. The girl is mentally weak.
7. There is community indifference or
powerlessness over the presence of
trafficking or prostitution that has
involved children.
An integrated approach
Children’s/youth clubs and associations were
developed in Cambodia in 1999 by World
Vision in partnership with Village
Development Committees, local schools and
children. Once the structure was established,
other links have been made with the
Children Assistance for Mobilisation and
Participation group (CAMP), Project Against
Domestic Violence (PADV), and the human
rights group LICADHO. A safe meeting place
for children through clubs is a feature of
work in 11 villages with a combined
population of 29,760, in two provinces. At
the time of writing, there are 11 clubs with
1,574 club members.
The clubs’ strategy has addressed risk
factors 3, 5, 6 and 7, while income generation
in broader development activity has
addressed point 4. The objectives of the
establishment of children’s/youth clubs are:
• to promote awareness of child rights and
child protection issues in the community
• to help children progress in study, play,
discussion, teaching each other, and
releasing their personal stress
• to assist children to help themselves and
each other
• to improve knowledge of the Khmer
culture, tradition, and civilised behaviour
through children’s/youth activities
• to build community people’s understanding
about the importance and value of children
through the club activities
• to encourage and give opportunity for
children to be a role model and resource in
the village and community, and
• to give opportunity for children to
participate and speak out about their
concerns and issues, in public and at the
local/national level.
Methods used reflect a belief that children are
not passive recipients of abuse in need of protection,
but have potential to be actively involved
in strengthening their own development. 17
“Participation builds life skills and enables
selfprotection… Young people who have things
just happen to them without having the
opportunity to defend themselves or shape
outcomes are more likely to become passive and
fatalistic. But adole-scents who are encouraged
to express their opinions and feelings, to be
assertive and to stand up for themselves will be
more likely to have higher self-esteem and move
from a position of confidence.” 18
17 Child Development Study Pack, Tear Fund, 1999
18 Hart, R, Children’s Participation: The theory and practice of involving young citizens in community development and environmental care, 1996
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