1. Basic education
Education is the fundamental and key means for development. It can improve living standard and human well-being through enabling the individual to diversify their life choices and building awareness of personal wellbeing. This Figure shows that a large percentage of women interviewed in this study are illiterate. This is highest in Siem Reap province with reach to almost 70% and lowest in Battambang province with reach to 40% preceded by 60% in Banteay Meanchey province. Almost 35% of women in Battambang province can read and write (i.e., are functionally literate) followed by slightly higher than 10% in Banteay Meanchey province and 10% in Siem Reap province. Secondary education is highest among women in Battambang (10%) compared to women in other two provinces. none of the respondents in any of the three provinces has upper education (i.e. upper than high school education).
2. Traditional or indigenous skills of the respondents
2. Traditional or indigenous skills of the respondents
The respondents were asked about the areas in which they have traditionally acquired or possessed skills and knowledge. The reason of exploring traditional or indigenous knowledge was to identify potential areas for skill development of the respondents for their income improvement and diversification. Areas of skills include wine processing, feeding caterpillar (larvae of silk), raising animals (livestock), and agriculture, tailoring, fish processing, making broom and weaving. Majority of the women have skills in at least one area. Fig 3.5 reveals details of the areas of traditional or indigenous skills of the respondents.
Women in different geographical locations have skills and knowledge in different areas with different percentages. For example, almost half (47%) of the respondents in Battambang possesses knowledge and skills on fish processing compared to 26% and 14% of respondents in Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap province respectively. On the other hand, 61% of respondents in Siem Reap province possesses knowledge and skills on weaving compared to 5% and 15% of respondents in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey province. The respondents were asked whether they are interested and willing to improve their traditional skills through vocational or technical training and education. Table below reveals the interest of women for improvement of their skills. The majority of the women are interested to improve their skills. Table: Percentage of women interested to improve their traditional/indigenous skills
Sl | Province name | Whether interested for improve their skills | |
YES (%) | NO (%) | ||
1 | Battambang | 100 | 0 |
2 | Banteay Meanchey | 83.33 | 16.67 |
3 | Siem Reap | 83.33 | 16.67 |
Areas of vocational/technical fields in which women are interested to improve their skills: Women are interested to improve their skills in a number of areas. Areas of interest for skill development are traditional. These include tailoring, beauty salon, weaving (of mat, basket, clothes), livestock and poultry raising, mushroom cultivation, aquaculture, enterprise development and food processing. Table below shows top-5 chosen areas for vocational/technical skill development by district and province.
Name of the emerging occupations with rank | |||||
Battambang | Banteay Meanchay | Siem Reap | |||
Bovel | Rattanak Mondul | Thmar Pouk | Phnom Srok | Angkor Thum | Soutr Nikum |
Tailoring Beauty salon Weaving (of mat, basket and cloths) No choice No choice | Beauty salon, hair dressing Tailoring Animal raising (pigs, chicken, ducks) Weaving (mat, basket, clothes) Business | Weaving (mat, basket, clothes) Animal raising (pigs, chicken, ducks) Beauty salon, hair dressing and hair cutting Business Agriculture, mushroom cultivation | Weaving (mat, basket, clothes) Tailoring Beauty salon Animal raising (pigs, chicken, ducks) Agriculture, mushroom cultivation | Tailoring Beauty salon, hair dressing and hair cutting Food processing (fish, vegetables, fruits, traditional alcohol production) Weaving (mat, basket, clothes | Tailoring Business Agriculture, mushroom cultivation Weaving (mat, basket, clothes) Food processing (fish, vegetable, production of traditional alcohol) |
Perceived impacts of new skills on livelihood
The respondents were asked about what they perceive in terms of impacts on their livelihood, if they are being able to gain skills in new areas they have identified. They perceive different kinds and levels of impacts on their livelihood if they improve their skills and expertise in new areas. Perceived impacts of respondents are given below.
The reason of capturing respondents’ perception about impacts of new skills on their livelihood is to assess their true likeness and desire to pursue the identified skills if they are given opportunities. Most of the respondents perceive that they will be better off or well off if they acquire new skills. They also perceived other forms of impacts such as stability in income or occupation, happiness in family, schooling or education of children, alteration of gender stereotypes (in roles and relations), avoidance of out-migration and so on. With the given perceived impacts, it is apparent that the respondents are most likely to acquire skills and expertise in the new vocational or technical areas, if they are provided with necessary supports and facilities.
The reason of capturing respondents’ perception about impacts of new skills on their livelihood is to assess their true likeness and desire to pursue the identified skills if they are given opportunities. Most of the respondents perceive that they will be better off or well off if they acquire new skills. They also perceived other forms of impacts such as stability in income or occupation, happiness in family, schooling or education of children, alteration of gender stereotypes (in roles and relations), avoidance of out-migration and so on. With the given perceived impacts, it is apparent that the respondents are most likely to acquire skills and expertise in the new vocational or technical areas, if they are provided with necessary supports and facilities.
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