Leadership opportunities for women are limited in Cambodia, where the education system is still recovering from its troubled recent history.

With low attainment rates for children and a high percentage of teachers who have not finished high school themselves, the education system in Cambodia needs positive, large-scale and sustainable change.

‍Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) NGO SeeBeyondBorders considers education a powerful transformation tool and recognises the intrinsic value of women in leadership.

Their Educational Changemakers program supports female Cambodian graduates to help them reach their potential and make positive change in education. The program works with women who have the drive to become future leaders.

Program participants can obtain a master’s degree in education, as well as gain experience shadowing exemplary teachers in schools. They also learn new skills including verbal presentation, analysing data, computer skills, teaching methodologies, debating and writing reports in English.

Sin Dyna was a participant on the inaugural SeeBeyondBorders’ Educational Changemakers program.

“I have found myself changing, from being hesitant to share my ideas and lacking confidence in my skills, to now after five months, being confident in the value of my ideas and of the skills that I have. This program has made me leave my comfort zone and step forward to define myself as a woman with emerging leadership skills. I look forward to the future and the changes I will be able to bring about for my country,” she says.