On March 8, 2012 Cambodia celebrated International Women’s Day. Jesuit Service Cambodia launched an advocacy campaign to commemorate women especially the mother’s role in a women’s empowerment. Interviews were conducted in Sisophon, Banteay Meanchey to ask what the day meant for women, on the role of mothers, and their message to others who are celebrating International Women’s Day. The results were announced on air with regional broadcast range by Prum Meanchey FM 96.5 MHz radio station in Sisophon.

Callers from various provinces in Northwest Cambodia phoned in their reactions and their own answers to the questions. A man from Pailin said that for him, International Women’s Day is the day to honor women. He shared ways to do so such as by giving flowers, taking them out to dinner and even taking care of all their daily duties so that she does not have to work on that day. A caller from Bavel, Battambong also commented that this should not be the day only to respect women, but it should be done every day, all throughout the year. This is just the day to remember and promote a woman’s importance in their role to form society.

A caller from Kralaanh, Siem Reap acknowledged the great sacrifices a mother makes for her family, “She takes care of the children, she works to earn money and.... her sacrifices are so much, I cannot compare.”A caller from Svaychek, Banteay Meanchey also mentioned that mother’s embody the highest four-fold Cambodian ideal virtues of Metta(lLoving kindness), Karuna(Campassion), Mudita (Altruistic or sympathetic joy), and Upekha (Equanimity).

A woman from Mongkul Borey, Banteay Meanchey also said that to be a good mother or wife, there should be a lot of love and understanding given to the family. In return, men should respect women even more and help them with their domestic duties.

By Pedro Walpole

Environmental concerns continue to draw Jesuits in the Asian region to find ways to better understand, engage, and respond to the social and ecological challenges.

There are many among the Jesuits and those who work with them who have contributed much to addressing the environmental concerns of our times, whether through research institutes, university education or social centers.  At this stage, there is a major review and fundamental awareness of the need to care for creation.  Exploitation or domination of creation has not been the major attitude of relating with creation.  However today the Jesuits are emphasizing that reconciliation with creation, as with social justice, is fundamental to being responsible people of faith in the world.  And this affects all Jesuits and all Jesuit institutions.

A focal point of ecological engagement is the Mekong River that traverses six countries and where over 60 million people depend for their food, water, transport, and incorporate their livelihoods and many aspects of their daily lives.

1 June 2011 “Without children, who will replace us and move our generations forward?” asked Keo Sothy, principal of Teukthla School in Banteay Meanchey. Her message was aired on radio as part of JS Banteay Meanchey’s Advocacy on Air bi-monthly program.

Advocacy on Air began in 2006 in an effort to increase audience impact and participation on different advocacies set forth by the JS team. Advocacies vary from environmental protection, to gender equality, to road safety and finally, children’s rights.

25 May 2011- There is an urgent need to call on governments to ban investments in cluster munition producers.

This was the message sent out yesterday, 25 May, to more than 50 participants coming from the media and several NGOs who attended the press conference organized by the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions (CCBLCM).

“We urge Cambodia and more countries in Asia to join the Convention,” says Sr. Denise Coghlan, director of CCBLCM.

The call came in the wake of three Cambodian de-miners’ death this month in Kompon Speu, who were killed in a blast as they were handling an unexploded shell left over from decades of civil war.

The presscon coincided with the Global Day for Disinvesting in Cluster Munitions which aims to lobby governments to condem investments in cluster munition producers.