New podcast series amplifies Cambodian women leading climate action
- Break Through
- May 23
- 3 min read
Phnom Penh, Cambodia — A powerful new podcast series is amplifying the voices of young Cambodian women leading the fight against climate change. Launched by the youth-led Breakthrough Movement, in collaboration with the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies (EmPower) Programme, the Linking Lives podcast series highlights how women, particularly those from marginalized communities, are driving local climate solutions and strengthening community resilience.
Entitled “Linking Lives: Women’s Leadership in Climate Change Action”, the podcast brings forward the often-overlooked perspectives of young women, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and individuals from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and other (LGBTIQ+) community. Through storytelling and dialogue, it explores the crucial intersections of gender, climate change, and community leadership. “This podcast connects the dots between climate change and gender equality,” says Heng Bodalin, co-founder of Breakthrough Movement. "Our aim is to break the silence surrounding the link between climate change and gender-based violence, spark meaningful conversations, and spotlight the women who are leading inclusive climate solutions.”
The series fosters empowerment and solidarity by showcasing how women support each other to strengthen community-led climate action. “Our goal is to elevate the leadership of marginalized women – especially Indigenous women, young women, and women with disabilities – and inspire collective action for a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future,” adds Van Chankanha, another co-founder of Breakthrough Movement.
The first episode, Indigenous Women, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, & Climate Actors, explores how Indigenous women are at the forefront of climate action for their community through their application of ancestral knowledge and sustainable practices. One of its featured guests, Fong Champei, a Jarai woman and Vice-President of the Cambodian Indigenous Women Association (CIWA), reflects on the enduring wisdom of land rotation – a traditional method used to preserve soil health. “One of the key pieces of traditional knowledge from Indigenous communities that applies to climate change is agricultural land rotation,” she explains. “This practice maintains soil fertility naturally, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and helping to sustain the environment.”
Guest Prak Phuong, a Bunong woman from Mondulkiri Province and CIWA project officer, also highlights the acute challenges women face as a consequence of climate change, especially when clean water becomes scarce.“During droughts, women urgently need access to clean water for hygiene,” she shares. “Without it, their health is at serious risk – especially during menstruation and pregnancy – leading to broader consequences, including economic hardship and increased vulnerability to violence.”
Their insights illustrate how Indigenous women are not only preserving cultural knowledge but also adapting it to address the demands of a rapidly changing climate.
Future episodes will explore themes of diversity and leadership, with guests including disability rights advocates, eco-business leaders, young feminist leaders, and other experts examining the intersection of inclusion, innovation, and climate resilience.
By providing a platform for these diverse voices, Breakthrough and EmPower aim to elevate women’s leadership in climate action and inspire audiences across generations and cultures.
Beyond the podcast, Breakthrough will lead outreach sessions with university students and women’s community groups, taking a more hands-on approach to raising awareness about the connection between gender-based violence and climate change, while celebrating women’s roles in the climate movement.
The Empower Programme – a joint initiative by UN Women and the UN Environment Programme supported by the Governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland – is currently in its second phase in Cambodia. Advancing gender-responsive, human rights-based climate action focuses on expanding opportunities for women and other marginalized and gender-diverse groups to influence decision-making and strengthen climate resilience.
This podcast series plays a key role in that effort, serving as both a storytelling platform and a call to action – encouraging wider participation in building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future. As Chankanha reflects: “Together, these initiatives will create a ripple effect, empowering women, amplifying their leadership, and driving collective action towards a more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone.”
The article is also published on the UN Women Asia and the Pacific website: New podcast series amplifies Cambodian women leading climate action.
Tune in to the podcast:
Episode 1: Indigenous Women: Traditional Knowledge Keepers & Climate Actors - https://youtu.be/joirVNlmuYU?si=X_DpaYHhJWhT-Gxr
Episode 2: Many Voices, One Cause: The Power of Diverse Representation - https://youtu.be/nsNlPPak5SM?si=IA0Qsr40lOimYfWC
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