Nanda Pok is the founder and Executive Director of Women for Prosperity, a non-government organization based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A refugee who fled to the United States just before Pol Pot took control of the country, Ms. Pok returned to Cambodia in 1992, determined to be part of the reconstruction and Development of her country. She publishes a bimonthly magazine to promote the concept of women in leadership and has trained over 5,000 women to hold political office. In the most recent election, 613 of the 953 women elected were trained by her organization.
Nanda Pok’s peace-building activities in clude:
Training potential female candidates, and organizing female debates for the 2003 general election
Media Campaign to promote female candidates, and free, fair, transparent, and non-violent elections.
UNIFEM-sponsored Peace for Prosperity, a program that promotes nonviolence, voter education, and the participation of women in government through work with politicians, voters, and themedia.
After graduating college in California, Nanda Pok spent years working in social adjustment counseling, drug abuse prevention, teaching English and program coordination with groups like the United Cambodian Community to help refugees.
Upon returning to Cambodian in 1991, she began a political career only to leave it to co-found the Women For Prosperity (WFP) NGO in 1994, Since its inception, WFP has been a leading advocate for gender equality and equity in Cambodia and has particularly worked to increase women’s representa- tion in positions of influence in the country. Programs like Women’s Leadership, Women and the Media and the Women’s Forum and Network are just a few of the training programs that WFP works on to help women improve their skills and self-confidence.
“I understand that for Cambodia to prosper and to fully develop, empowerment of women must be a priority, ”explains Pok.”I envision more and more women taking leadership roles and involving themselves in decision-making at all levels.”
Nanda Pok is quick to remember that she has gotten to where she is now with strong support from her understanding husband, family and colleagues, and particularly her father who told her “to follow her dreams and do the best you can do.”
Message to the world: Woman must be emotionally and economically
independent, as it gives the power to make decisions.
Role model: Her grand-mother and mother
MISSION STATEMENT:
Women for Prosperity (WFP) is a local non-profit & non-political NGO based on voluntary services. WFP’s goal and objectives are to: empower Cambodian women to exercise their rights on equal terms with men, promote women’s self-confidence and esteem, promote women’s participation in public affairs, train and motivate women to take on leadership roles and positions.
WFP was formed in July 1994, as a nongovernment organization that seeks to empower women, to enable them to economically support their families, to experience personal safety and security, and maintain their values and identity.
WFP will continue to develop programs and activities that encourage women to take control of their lives and to participate on equal footing with men in local and national forums, assemblies and other venues on issues affecting them and the country.
OBJECTIVES:
1-
Empower women in exercising their rights on equal terms with men;
2-
Develop self confidence and self-esteem amongst women;
3-
Promote and motivate women to challenge in public service;
4-
Provide training and supports to enable women in taking the leadership roles and positions;
5-
Improve the women’s social, political, and economic condition by network with other women’s organizations worldwide for mutual benefits.
