By Leakhena

Leakhena’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity. As a garment worker in Cambodia, she endured not only the grueling demands of her job but also the pain of a troubled marriage, the double burden of work women have to go through and the trauma of workplace harassment. Despite the challenges she faced, Leakhena refused to be silenced. Through her involvement with the union at her factory, she found the courage to stand up for her rights and advocate for other women. This is the story of her journey from oppression to empowerment, and the lessons she learned along the way.

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I was married when I was 25 years old. After getting married, I moved in with my in-laws. Life was far from easy. After a long day working at the garment factory, I would still have to help my mother-in-law with housework. My days would start at 4 a.m., as I had to finish the house chores before heading to work. Even though I tried my best to be a good daughter-in-law, I never got the respect I deserved—not from my in-laws, not even from my husband.

When I had my first child, my husband began seeing another woman. Despite the pain, I stayed silent because of the expectations placed on women in society. But everything changed a year later when I joined the union at my factory. It opened my eyes to women’s rights and gave me the courage to advocate for other workers. However, my husband didn’t support my involvement in the union, and life continued to be a struggle.

When I became pregnant with my second child, my husband took up with yet another mistress. This time, I couldn’t stay silent. I decided to fight for justice and chose to divorce him. I knew what would happen if I took this step. Just as I had feared, my husband accused me of having an affair. People around me gossiped and spread lies.

Being a single mother of two was incredibly difficult. Financially, it was a constant battle, and my mental health suffered. But I knew I had to stay strong for my children. Every hardship became a lesson, shaping me into a stronger woman.

At work (Bowker factory), I faced harassment from a co-worker. One day, he followed me to the restroom and touched me inappropriately. I was furious and reported the incident to the admin officer at the factory. But they sided with him and dismissed my complaint. Shortly after, I attended a Safe Circle Training by AFWA, which reignited my determination. Armed with this newfound strength, I went back to the admin office and demanded that the man’s contract be terminated. When he harassed another woman, I encouraged her to join me in filing another complaint. Finally, the factory terminated his contract. I felt a sense of triumph when the case was resolved, but I won’t deny that it left me scarred. The harassment had been deeply traumatising, and I avoided people for fear of their judgment.

Through all this, I have learned how crucial it is for women, especially single mothers, to stand up and fight for justice. My hope is that all women, no matter where they are, find the strength to speak out. We are never alone in this fight.

Leakhena’s story is a part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.