SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA — Beneath the towering spires of Siem Reap’s historic temples, a different kind of history is unfolding. The grounds have been transformed into temporary shelters where rows of canvas tents struggle to offer a sense of privacy. Inside, women and girls sleep beside packed bags and plastic water containers, never fully at ease. For these women, the day is not just a calculation of food and shelter. It is a calculation of their own bodies.  In some displacement camps, despite best efforts of providing basic needs,  latrines are often poorly lit, and lack gender segregation which can be a safety issue for women and girls. For many, the simple biological reality of a menstrual cycle becomes a source of embarrassment and risk.

The recent crisis along Cambodia’s border has resulted in protracted displacement. As of 15th January, the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) reported that 141,850 people continue to live in 102 displacement sites and with relatives across the country. Living in uncertainty, they do not know how long the displacement will last and continue to hope for the day they can return home safely and begin rebuilding their daily lives.

In this uncertainty, two questions keep returning: “Is women and girls’ dignity being valued in this crisis? What Does Women’s Dignity Mean in Emergencies?”

A Crisis Within a Crisis: The Weight of Displacement

Disasters do not affect everyone in the same way. For women and girls, especially those who are pregnant or caring for newborns, every daily activity becomes a negotiation between safety, health, and survival.

Among them is a young pregnant woman, Sreyreth, in her late twenties, approaching the final month of her pregnancy. For her, being displaced means worrying about the baby, about food, and about whether she can reach a health facility in time when labour starts.

“I worry about giving birth here,” she says. “We don’t have enough food, and I’m not sure I can get to the health centre quickly if something happens. I want my baby to be born safely, but everything feels uncertain.”

“I want to go back home,” she says quietly, looking down at her hands. “When the conflict started, we could only grab a few sets of clothes. I don’t know when it will be safe again.”

On the other side of this shared anxiety stands a midwife, Polyna Pheas, who regularly visits the camp from a nearby health centre, Kok Chak Health Centre, for the displaced mothers.

“For pregnant women who come here, there is no suitable accommodation,” she explains. “It is crowded and hard for them to sleep. The difficult living conditions can trigger premature births. Living here is not like living at home.”

Privacy is a constant challenge.

“We don’t have a private room like we do at the health centre,” she says. “We examine women here in the camp and give medicine after basic check-ups, but we lack some equipment, even for listening to the baby’s heartbeat. The health facility is not far, but not everyone can travel there easily.”

The risk of gender-based violence (GBV) is significantly exacerbated in emergencies, as displacement and the breakdown of protective systems heighten women’s and girls’ vulnerability. Overcrowded shelters, lack of lighting, and the need to travel long distances to reach toilets, bathing spaces, or water points all create situations where women feel unsafe.

The Dignity Kit — More than a Package

On January 8th 2026, UNFPA and its partners distributed 900 dignity kits to displaced mothers in Siem Reap. Before each distribution, staff carefully open a kit and explain, one by one, what each item is and how it can be used safely and effectively. Women are encouraged to ask questions, and they are told where to go if they need more help.

The kits contain essential items that support menstrual health, personal hygiene, and basic safety. For women who left their homes with almost nothing, receiving a kit is about recovering some control over their own bodies and dignity.

Why “Dignity”? 

A dignity kit is not only a package of useful items. It is a statement that, even in crisis, women’s rights, bodies, and choices matter.

It helps women maintain:

• Hygiene & Health — Allowing women and girls to manage menstruation with pride, reducing the risk of infection and the burden of shame.
   
• Safety & Protection — When combined with information on available services,  referral  mechanisms for GBV services and safety items can reduce exposure to GBV risks and help women feel safer as they move around the camp.
   
• Psychological Recovery — Having basic, personal items of one’s own restores a sense of control and self-worth  and self determination at a time when everything else feels unstable.

Synergy Through Solidarity — An Integrated Protection Network

Dignity cannot be delivered by one actor alone. In this emergency response, UNFPA works hand in hand with key partners to build an integrated protection network for women and girls.

Mr. Phally of the Siem Reap Branch of Cambodian Women's Crisis Center (CWCC), emphasizes the community impact:

“These dignity kits are a real contribution to girls and women who need access to healthcare.” he says, “When I visited the commune and district authorities, they expressed their support for this emergency relief project. They were happy when I showed them what the package contained.”

Ms. Mom Chanthy, the Deputy Director Health Department and Gender Focal Person of Cambodian Red Cross highlighted the importance of the dignity kit and the partnership:

“For the Cambodian Red Cross, it is very important to work with agencies such as UNFPA, National Committee for Disaster Management of Cambodia, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and others to address GBV.” She says “We cannot work alone, especially when dealing with GBV during disasters. The dignity kits from UNFPA are always very helpful for responding in time to the needs of displaced women and girls in emergencies.”

During our engagement in Siem Reap, the Provincial Department of Women’s Affairs expressed their sincere appreciation for UNFPA’s continued support. They noted that the provision of dignity kits has been critical in responding to the immediate needs of displaced women and girls, particularly at a time when  vulnerabilities are heightened. The support was recognised not only for the practical assistance , but also for the strong signal it sends that the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of women and girls remain a priority throughout the emergency response

UNFPA coordinates closely with our partners, aligning dignity kits with information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, GBV referral pathways, and available services. In practice, this means that when a woman receives a dignity kit, she also receives a pathway to support.

The partnership between UNFPA and the Provincial Department of Women’s Affairs (Siem Reap) is central to ensuring that women and girls are not overlooked in emergency responses. By working together, UNFPA’s technical expertise and resources are combined with PDOWA’s  knowledge and established presence within communities. This collaboration enables dignity kits and other life-saving support to reach women and girls quickly, in ways that are culturally appropriate and respectful. Beyond the delivery of assistance, the partnership strengthens referral pathways and ensures that women’s dignity, safety, and rights remain at the centre of the response both during the emergency and in the recovery that follows.

The Path Forward: Dignity is Not Negotiable

In emergencies, women’s dignity means more than just surviving. It means the right to be clean, the right to be safe, and the right to be respected  — even when they have lost their homes, routines, and daily lives.

Emergencies expose the most fragile parts of people’s lives. For women and girls, that fragility is often hidden. Each dignity kit distributed in the camps is a small but powerful assurance that their dignity is not negotiable.

UNFPA, together with national and local partners, is committed to safeguarding this dignity for every woman and girl affected by the crisis—today and in the days ahead.

Moving forward, UNFPA remains committed to:

• Supporting life-saving dignity kits and essential SRHR and GBV services in all emergencies.
   
• Strengthening protection systems so that women and girls are safe before, during, and after crises.
   
• Listening to the voices of women, midwives, social workers, and local leaders who know what is going on the ground.
   

Because in every camp, every temporary shelter, and every uncertain night, there is a woman trying to protect her family and her future. The least we can do is protect her dignity