A Trans-Woman Advocates for No-discrimination against LGBTQI+ Community in Battambang
With support from USAID through Pact’s WE Act project, Micro Rainbow Act (MRC) improves the knowledge and leadership skills of LGBTQI+ members and Young Women Entrepreneurs (YWEs) in Battambang and Phnom Penh to access their socio-economic and civic rights. Providing them with advocacy, advocacy planning training, and business mentoring support.
Kon Thea, 35 years old, who was born and raised in Battambang Province, (formerly Sot Viseth), a Transgender-Woman is an activist who wants to see a community without discrimination against LGBTQI+ members and wants to be treated as a normal human being. She chose to join MRC in 2021.
Kon Thea joins MRC’s activities with trainings on Socio-Economic Rights (SER), basic advocacy & advocacy planning, leadership, digital marketing, and other business-related topics. Kon Thea gained knowledge and understanding about business skills, how to write a business plan, and more importantly, she developed a great understanding on her SERs and the advocacy planning and was willing to represent the group to raise and share their challenges.
“I’m better understood my rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sexual Characteristics. In addition, I have become more confident and braver in terms of using my rights to deal with discrimination at the workplace and in public after participating in the MRC project, especially the training on advocacy and advocacy planning. I am really happy to be able to represent the group and raise issues concerning our LGBTQI+ members directly with various representatives of the provincial government institutions including the Department of Women’s Affairs, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor and Vocational Training, One Window Service office (OWSO) of Battambang municipality, representative from 10 Sangkat administrations, and representative of target YWEs and youths during the quarterly coordination meeting with key stakeholders”.
Like other LGBTQI+ group, Kon Thea really appreciates the opportunity to be part of the MRC project. She wants to see a continuing dialogue between the LGBTQI+ community and local authorities where she and others can continue their engagement and advocate for their acceptance in the community.
Find out more about WE Act on Facebook
