Youth take to the streets of Battambang

Youth take to the streets of Battambang

Sunday 4 September 2011

Sunday is a day of rest – however only for some, especially in Cambodia. The supporting youths of the Sam Rainsy Party in Battambang take this as an advantage, take to the streets the message they would like to share; “Youth – register to vote for a bright future”.

The head of youth movement at the provincial level for SRP Battambang is Suon Chamroeun; he has been involved with the party since 2005. When asked what he studied at University he replies, “a completely different field from politics – marketing, it’s complicated why I got involved, [partly] because I could not see the logic of using my potential for the gains of the businessman in a [corporate job]”. I ask what constitutes a youth; his reply is anyone between 16 years old to 30 years old. Youth involvement within the party increases during the one month campaign period however diminishes once this is over; Chamroeun says there must be a strategy to keep them involved for the long run. Chamroeun reveals to me research that has shown youths within Cambodia to have significantly lower interests in politics than across other countries; just 4% and less than half of these are actively involved.

Youths have the power to make a change, to voice their opinions on political issues in order to secure their future wellbeing. The Sam Rainsy Party defend the rights of freedom of speech and strongly support youth involvement.

On Sunday morning, 29 SRP youth supporters gathered at a house in Toul Ta Ek, Battambang where they joyfully received their shirts displaying the message – youth register to vote for a bright future. They are extremely happy to be here, to be part of something they believe in. They understand that they have the right to make choices, to be involved in making a change; and the efforts of walking the streets door-to-door allow us to spread awareness to others about voter registration.

Youths were extremely happy when the shirts were being distributed.

Message: Youths – register to vote for a bright future.

The efforts from the door-to-door voter registration campaign rewarded us with two new youth supporters – brother’s Sophal and Chandous. Chanroth Bith, a volunteer from Phnom Penh inspired a family the previous day to come and show their support, to become involved in shaping their future. Sophal is a 26 year old student from Kamakor Village, Battambang. Chanroth explained to them that everyone should be respected of their human rights and freedom to an adequate way of life. However they do not believe this because they are labelled ‘poor’ and people have discriminated and looked down on them – even from the Village Chief. Sophal opens up and says, “We are treated like we are from another world”. Chanroth explains that no matter if someone is poor or rich, everyone should be treated equally. She invited them to the Sunday youth walk and to become involved with the other SRP youths. Here, they can learn more about other people and their experiences, human rights and it is also a great way to socialize because everyone is treated as equals.

We are extremely happy to see the faces of these two young boys. From left - Chanroth, Chandous, Sophal.

Rosette is another significant figure within the group, a youth herself and is a prominent member in the SRP youth movement in Battambang. She has a strong determination and drive for youth involvement in politics. Rosette has mapped out the route in which the youth will walk; spreading awareness in markets, shops and any place we see as possible targets to voice our message. She makes certain that we are all aware not to mention that we belong to the Sam Rainsy Party as it is not yet campaign period and we could in trouble with the local authorities; we are just there to spread the message on voter registration – for them to check their details, what documentations to bring if they still need to register and if any of their family members are eligible to vote for the 2012 elections.

Before we head off on the walk we sing a motivational Khmer song – ‘Happy Sunday’. The youths take to the streets of Battambang with high enthusiasm.

Another 36 days to go!

Written by Emily Keo,

Volunteer, 2011