From fear to safety: girls reclaim privacy in displaced site
A lot of girls and women staying in a displacement site have no more concern over their safety and feel their privacy is being protected when they change clothes and sanitary pads in the installed fitting room.
Choudy, Lina, Lin and Kimleang are happy to have a fitting room at their displaced site. Photo credit: Plan International/Sokhy Muth
Like many others, Lina and her family were forced to flee their home due to the armed forces between Cambodia and Thailand, which have displaced over 172,000 people to designated safe zones in Siem Reap, Oddor Meanchey, Pursat and Preah Vihear provinces in Cambodia. Lina recalled the morning of 24 July 2025, when she was having breakfast and suddenly heard gunfire. Her mother urged her to leave home immediately without taking anything with her. “I have never experienced anything like this in my 15 years. I was terrified. We fled with nothing—not even a sanitary pad. Luckily, we received some through donations,” she shared.
The challenges facing at displaced area
Living in a displaced area has been far from easy. Lina described the challenges of changing clothes and managing her menstrual hygiene. “I had to change in an open tent where everyone could see,” she said.
Kimleang, another 15 year-old girl in the same areas, faced similar difficulties. “I had to ask my mom to stand guard outside the tent while I bathed and changed. I was too scared to go alone, afraid someone might be watching,” she explained.
Lin, a 14 year-old girl also living in the camp, shared a disturbing experience of harassment. “A few men, around 35 to 40 years old, commented on my skin and asked how many lotions I used,” she recalled.
“I had to change in an open tent where everyone could see.”
Lina
Protecting the dignity and safety of girls and young women
To address these concerns, Plan International Cambodia has installed 7 fitting rooms in displaced areas of Oddor Meanchey to help protect the dignity and safety of girls and young women. Lina, Kimleang and Lin now use these rooms to change their clothes and manage their hygiene in privacy.
“Fitting room is very important for us as girls. It protects us from any harassment and abuse”, explained Lina, a 15 year-old girl living in the displaced areas in Oddor Meanchey.
“I like the fitting room because it is fully enclosed. No one can see us while we change,” said Lina. “I don’t need to ask my sister to guard me anymore, so she has time to do other things”.
“Fitting room is very important for us as girls. It protects us from any harassment and abuse.”
Lina
Kimleang echoed Lina’s sentiments and expressed her gratitude.
“I am happy to have these rooms. Thank you to Plan International Cambodia for caring about our safety, dignity, and well-being.”
Categories: Emergencies, Protection from violence
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