1. Project: 11874 Cooperation for Womens Economic Empowerment (CWED II)#2. Project area and Country: Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Spue provinces in Cambodia#3. Project justification: #Women are often marginalized in the communities in Ca
mbodia. They have lower educational levels than men, and the culture and conservative traditional norms value women less than men. Gender power imbalances create barriers that prevent women from effectively participating in the development of their communities. In addition to lack of technical skills and support, womens knowledge of their rights remains limited. Cooperatives have proven to be an effective means to poor to pool their resources and enhance access to markets. However, poor women still cannot benefit from the work of the cooperatives because they cannot afford to buy the shares of the cooperatives or have sufficient production to be able to participate in the saving and loan schemes run by the cooperatives.#4. The main objective and expected results:#Successful achievements of Cooperation for Womens Economic Empowerment in Phase I (2015-2017), in introducing a business linkage between cooperatives and private companies, have encouraged women to participate in the cooperatives. CWED II project aims to contribute to womens economic and social empowerment so that women become equal and active participants in the sustainable development of their communities. The vulnerable womens business and income generating opportunities will be enhanced and participation in decision-making increased. The 17 targeted Women Agricultural Cooperatives (WAC) will have appropriate structures, strengthened management and operational capacity. The WACs will have the capacity to provide services to their increased and strengthened membership. The project will also strengthen the ownership and commitment of duty bearer toward WACs. #5. Right-holders/beneficiaries: 9,200 rights-holders at the end of the project (2020). #Duty bearers: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Provincial Department of Agriculture, Provincial Agriculture Cooperative Promotion Office, District Office of Agriculture, Commune Councils and Village Development Committees. #6. Implementing partner: A consortium with FCA, Life With Dignity (LWF) and Interchurch Cooperation for Development (ICCO)