In a region that often-put women at the last of the list and set them become vulnerable of culture and norms, it is important to create spaces where women can come together, support each other, and build powerful sisterhoods. This is especially crucial in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as water governance. Self-care, collective care, and solidarity are not just a word – they are necessary tools for women to take stock, to reflect and thrive in their careers and personal lives. This feminist retreat for Mekong water governance leaders aims to provide a safe and empowering space for women to connect, learn, and recharge. Join us as we explore the power of connection and sisterhood relation and create a community where women can uplift each other and make a lasting impact on water governance for their community as well as the region.
Celebrating the Resiliency of female leaders in Water Governance
The creation of this space celebrates the unique strengths and hidden power women bring to water governance sector. As women river defenders, mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, we have a lot to give to others and face societal expectations. However, these factors can also strengthen us. By coming together, we can leave stress and work pressure behind and be present in the moment. We use the "River of Life" exercise to reflect on our past experiences, both suffering and happiness, and the life events that shaped us into who we are today. Reflecting on our past experiences allows us to be proud of ourselves and celebrate every success we made, no matter how small they are and regardless of the challenges. As women, we all have power to make difficult life into a successful one.
Unleashing the Potential of Women in influence Water Governance Related issues
At our feminist retreat for water governance leaders, we firmly believe that women have untapped potential when it comes to shaping the future of natural resources management. We had an opportunity to listen to an inspiring story of Mae Sompong, an activist who led her community to fight against the impact of Pak Mun Dam project in Northern Thailand. According to Mae Sompong’s life journey, change takes times, but eventually it yields the sign of hope and result. It is time to unleash this potential and harness the power of women to create lasting change. Overcoming societal norms, she emerged as a woman leader, actively engaging in the movements against the dam project, advocating for women's inclusion in decision making that matters to the movement. She started participating in the movements against a dam project since 1985. After a decade, as a woman, she was finally allowed to join and lead the movement. With 37 years of experience, she struggled through legal battles and challenges, rallying thousands to fight for livelihoods. Now, linking to global collaboration, environmental sustainability, and active engagement, her goal stays consistent: to open dams, restore nature and ecosystem, and foster harmony between humanity and the environment in the face of climate change.
Starting from Mae Sompong story, it was an intergenerational sharing experience at our retreat, with more young women as well as the women from older generation sharing some common and different challenges from their journeys. Many, a young women leader from Ratanakiri province, Cambodia said ‘There were moments when I felt like giving up, but these struggles shaped me into the person I am today. Against the expectations placed on indigenous women, I achieved more than my parents could have imagined. My accomplishments, including travels to Thailand and Laos, make my parents very proud.’.
NhatAnh from Vietnam, former leader of CSRD, also shared that ‘When I was young, I wanted to be strong like a boy, I cut my hair short.’ She expressed the hurt she felt from societal expectations about conforming to traditional gender roles, especially in a masculine society. Nhat said ‘Being strong as a woman is different from being strong as a man. Since understanding this, I feel better and doesn't try to be strong like a man anymore.’
Throughout the retreat, we provided opportunities for women to develop their leadership quality, to strengthen their voices, and to cultivate their knowledge through their story sharing and exchange. By providing a supportive, safe, and empowering environment, we help participants to realize their full potential and they could become agents of positive transformation in their community/society.
From Self-Care to Collective Care
We also explored the concept of collective care, emphasizing the balance between personal and shared well-being in women leadership. We talked about taking care of ourselves and each other in women's leadership. We focused on finding a balance between looking after ourselves and looking out for each other. This connects with feminist leadership, which values working together, being inclusive, and understanding that we all face challenges.
The main point of the discussion was how everyone in the team is connected; and if one person is having a hard time, it affects everyone. We discussed practical things, like how to handle heavy workloads, maneuver oneself in handling task assigned by male executives, and suggesting everyone take time off together. In our discussions, we highlighted the importance of working together, talking openly, and being okay with showing vulnerability in feminist leadership. This ties back to the idea of taking care of ourselves and each other. This way of leadership is about sharing responsibilities, communicating well, and being open about our challenges.
Designing a Transformative Retreat Experience
At our feminist retreat, we are committed to creating a transformative experience that has ignite the potential within each participant and facilitator. We understand importance of designing a retreat that not only educates and empowers, but also inspires and rejuvenates and make everyone feel the ownership in each process and make each participant to be their own-self and contributing their parts, as speaker and educator, with our own story and journey. Participants had the opportunity to disconnect from the pressures of daily life and immerse themselves in a space that fosters reflection and growth.
‘As a leader with limited knowledge and opportunity to go through a formal training, hearing other women's journeys at the workshop encouraged me. It reminded me that everyone does their best, so I started taking it easy and became more confident. The workshop showed me my situation, helped me evolve, and made me feel equal. Although I feel like I am not satisfied with my leadership skills yet, it raised me to equality.’ Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, Director of WARECOD
Our facilitator team has carefully collated a program that combines thoughtful workshops, engaging discussions, and experiential learning activities. We have explored topics such as Self-Reflection and Appreciation, Leadership Quality, and Healing and Inner Peace building, Self-Evaluaiton by using Wellness Wheel. The retreat has also incorporated mindfulness and self-care practices, ensuring that participants are nourishing their own well-being throughout the journey. From morning mediation sessions to guided meditations, we have provided a holistic approach to personal growth and empowerment.
‘In my experience of participation in gender and women leadership training and workshops, this feminist leadership retreat stands out. It is not the typical presentation style experience, it's a unique journey that unfolds through art and the power of shared stories.’ Luy Reaksmey, Executive Director of CEPA
“I feel really safe to share my story, and I also got inspired by the sharing of other women from this retreat. I think this helped me in my leadership journey.” Noudsavanh Pheungsavanh, Facilitator and Communication Officer (The Land Learning Initiative for Food Security Enhancement (LIFE project)
As this Feminist Leadership Retreat gave unforgettable memories for us as leaders, we call upon everyone to join us for this transformative retreat experience and become part of a powerful sisterhood of feminist leaders who are shaping the future of water governance in Mekong Region by sharing you inspiring story. We call everyone to join us by trying to create more transformative, safe, and trustful space for our community and CSO female leaders who at the frontline to project our river but at the end line in community leader.
“Together, we can create a powerful sisterhood that will make a lasting impact on our communities and the environment. Let's rise together and lead the way towards a brighter future.”