Judges’ Award 2025 Silver The Bicester Collection International Impact
The #WeAreWalkingWithYou campaign is part of This Life's annual initiative to build a Cambodia Without Violence. Among the harrowing statistics surrounding violence, the most sobering remains that, as of 2023, 1 in 3 Cambodian women have experienced Gender-Based Violence.
To bring attention to this crisis, we listened to and shared the stories of three women through a concept we called Over Her Shoulder. Hiding their faces for anonymity while depicting their journeys, we aimed to visualize their narratives through common daily occurrences of harassment and pressure. The goal was to empower viewers to reach out and remind them that they are not alone. In hearing these stories, we recognized that the true extremity of their experiences with violence couldn’t be fully shown—but based on the statistics, it was clear these experiences are tragically common. This violence, while often unspoken and deeply stigmatized, has become as present in daily life as any household appliance.
In lieu of that, we utilized a yoke as the central symbol for the campaign.
The yoke—a pole balanced across the shoulders with two buckets attached—is a familiar sight in Cambodia, often used to carry water, rice, or coal. This tool, outdated and burdened, symbolizes the physical and emotional strain endured by survivors. It is painful, archaic, difficult to balance, and carried alone. Through this narrative device, we hoped to resonate with anyone who recognized the burden, the path, or even the person depicted, inspiring them to Reach Out, Check In, and Act.
We launched this campaign at the start of this year's 16 Days of Activism and, at its conclusion reached just under a million views on our Facebook page. Since then, we’ve collaborated with Cambodia’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs to expand platforms for victims and survivors, amplifying their voices and creating spaces where support can thrive.
We look forward to a future where videos like this are no longer necessary. Until then, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who watches, shares, and stands with us. Your time and compassion are invaluable in building a safer, more equitable Cambodia for all.
#WeAreWalkingWithYou
This Life's video submission #WeAreWalkingWithYou is for the 16 Days Of Activism - Without Violence Campaign in Cambodia focussed on ending Gender-Based Violence and empowering and protecting victims and survivors.
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At This Life, we’re all about community. Our work focuses on three key areas in Cambodia:
We partner with communities that face some of the biggest challenges but also have the passion and determination to create change. What they often need are the tools, training, and support to tackle their unique issues.
Our approach is simple: we work alongside communities, listening to their concerns and helping them build the skills and infrastructure they need to break the cycle of poverty. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that change works best when it’s led by the community itself. We listen, engage, and advocate side by side with children, women, families, and communities as they shape their own solutions to complex social issues.
Our programs have grown naturally over time, based on the needs communities have shared with us. Many of our programs connect with and support one another, creating a holistic approach to community development. We also ensure there are clear entry and exit strategies for everything we do. Over time, as communities build their own capacity, our involvement lessens, leaving them with the skills to continue independently.
Our mission began in 2007 and Today, This Life is proud to be an award-winning, trusted NGO running eight programs across Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Banteay Meanchey. We’re registered as an International NGO in Cambodia and a Public Benevolent Institution in Australia, and we’re Governance and Professional Practice (GPP) certified by the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC).
We believe communities are the real experts when it comes to identifying their priorities and solutions. Often, they just need the resources to take ownership of tackling their biggest challenges—and that’s where we come in.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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