Phnom Penh

Royal Palace

Monday we visited the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are filled with riches—I could not imagine how they survived the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge regime.






Nipia, Local Guide for Phnom Pehn

Our guide said that collaboration with the King was critical to the Khmer Rouge holding power and that any plundering of the riches of the King would have jeopardized that collaboration. The National Museum held many treasures. The early Khmer collection was quite astounding. I also was quite taken with the photographs of the intricate and powerful movements of traditional apsara dancers.We had dinner at a restaurant supported by a local NGO. We also took a boat ride on the Mekong River to see the sunset. Our boat went through the confluence of four rivers—upper and lower Mekong and Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers.

Mekong River

Along with two other delegates I walked around an area of Phnom Penh near the riverfront. I had a conversation with a tuk-tuk driver who approached me asking if I was American. After conversing about what we were seeing in Cambodia and learning, he told me he was learning English and was eager to practice. After further conversation I learned that he is studying English with his daughter. He is hoping that learning English will improve his chances of getting work. He was 3 years old when the Khmer Rouge came to power. He was separated from his parents and lived in a children’s camp and was unable to attend school. I cannot begin to put into words how powerful people’s stories are.





Royal University Phnom Pehn Studentss

Tuesday we visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh and the International University and had lunch at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC). The FCC is filled with photographs of war and its impact on the Cambodian people, particularly the continuing impact of landmines. The session at the International University gave us an overview of the official ideology about health care and the role of women. The session at the Royal University was very moving and meaningful. About 30 undergraduate sociology students were assembled in the room when we came in. This is the next generation that Cambodia is hoping will bring a new future. The eagerness on their faces truly brought tears to my eyes. Their courage in standing and asking questions and being willing to answer our questions was very inspiring. After the formal session, we talked with individual students who were so proud and excited to have been visited by sociologists from the United States. There is so much to be done with education in Cambodia—the people are willing and eager if only they can get the needed resources.

Meeting with Vietnamese Academics

Ho Chi Minh City University Faculty Session

Thursday was a day of meeting with Vietnamese academics. In the morning we visited Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences. We met with Professor Nguven Ngoe Tho, Cultural Studies, Professor Tran dinh Lam, Philosophy and Economics, and some of their students. Professor Nguven Ngoe Tho gave us an overview of some cultural and social issues in Vietnam. His comments about occupational gender segregation being the "natural way" sparked lively disagreement. Professor Tran Dinh Lam addressed economic changes since 1975.

Ho Chi Minh University students

The afternoon was a refreshing and inspiring visit at Hao Sen University. We met with Dr. Bui Tran Phuong, President of Hao Sen, Dr. Thai Thi Ngoc Du, Director of Gender and Society Research Center, and several of their colleagues and students.

Discussion with Hao Sen University Faculty

Their work in Vietnam is unique in two major ways: the focus on gender and the requirement that all students take 3 general education courses (other universities do not have this requirement).

Dr. Bui Tran Phuong, Hao Sen University President

Courageous, outspoken, and incisive analysis of gender issues was provocative and inspirational. They discussed the limitations of the current political scene in terms of reducing the gap between laws concerning gender equality and ending domestic violence and the realities of women's lives. They are doing exciting research on many topics, from sexual violence to the effects of Agent Orange on women's health. They are in the process of translating some of their work into English and French and within the month, I should have access to some of these materials.
Dr. Thai Thi Ngoc Du, Director, Gender and Society Research Center

In terms of gender textbooks, they do not have anything in their library after 1999. One of my goals is to get them a copy of the gender textbook I have co-authored as well as copies of other recent gender texts. I hope to remain in contact with this amazing group of women.