Strengthening livelihoods through forest protection

Across 17 community protected areas, women are reshaping what leadership looks like in rural landscapes. They are farmers, caretakers, and now, protectors of ecosystems. Through the project, they have strengthened climate-resilient rice farming practices, diversifying crops and improving soil health. But their impact reaches far beyond the rice fields.

In nearby grasslands, which are home to the endangered Bengal florican, women community members also play an important supporting role in conservation efforts. While patrol groups monitor habitats and safeguard nesting grounds, women help facilitate these visits and provide hospitality, ensuring patrol teams can carry out their work effectively. These grasslands, often overlooked, are among the most fragile ecosystems. Without protection, they face pressures from land conversion, overuse, and climate change. With protection, they become a refuge not only for wildlife, but for the future of biodiversity in Cambodia. 

Alongside patrol efforts, women are leading forest restoration activities including planting trees, protecting regenerating areas, and raising awareness within their communities about sustainable land use. Their work helps reduce pressure on nearby forests and protected areas, as improved rice yields and diversified livelihoods mean fewer families need to rely on forest clearing to survive.

The results are already visible. Healthier soils are improving productivity. Access to non-timber forest products and ecotourism opportunities is creating new income streams. And as women’s incomes grow, so does their voice in community decision-making. 

The project is reaching over 45,800 CPAs community members, including 23,000 women, across more than 10,500 households and 31,447 hectares of community protected land. Together, they are building a landscape that is more resilient, more productive, and more inclusive.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in partnership with national institutions, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

This International Day of Forests, their work shows that restoring forests, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable rice farming are closely connected to building stronger local economies and empowering people, especially women, to lead the way.