Sophea is a feminist activist and campaigner currently working as the Coordinator for Cambodian non-profit organisation, Social Action for Community and Development (SACD). She has over ten years of experience working with people-led movements to claim and exercise their human rights to social justice, resource governance, women's rights, and economic justice.
In her role at SACD, she has contributed to enhancing local networks and people's movements' awareness of the causes and effects of the neoliberal economic paradigm and patriarchy, and been a part of a number of mobilisation and community-led and people-led actions.
Her activism is centred on political education, participatory action research, people-led activities, and collective leadership. She believes that structural change and political will are required to tackle the ongoing crises, not merely solutions from science, corporations, and/or government leaders.
Prior to joining SACD, Sophea worked for four years as a Mekong programme officer for a regional organisation called Focus on the Global South, based in Bangkok, Thailand. She has also produced a number of critical pieces on Cambodia's food price crises, an overview of Mekong investment, and the people's struggle to access health care and treatment.
I’m surrounded by courageous women, organisations and individuals. Even when I am fed up and exhausted, they inspire me to keep going. They always find a way to expose issues and challenge the system, whether through art, engagement with progressive politicians, or taking to the street. As long as we do not give up hope, progressive change is possible. We need to play our part in building movements. Even though change may not happen in our time, new generations will take it forward.Sophea Chrek