Mrs. Toem’s journey as an advocate began in 2004, driven by a deep-seated “will and heart” to protect the natural resources that define the Kui identity. For the Kui people, the forest is not merely a collection of trees but a ancestral pharmacy and a spiritual sanctuary. Mrs. Toem speaks passionately about traditional livelihoods—tapping resin (Dong Chor), gathering wild fruits, and practicing rotational farming.
“Our ancestors taught us how to live with the forest,” Toem explains. “We never cut down the thick, sacred forests. We tap the trees for resin, but we do it in a way that allows the tree to live for thousands of years.”
The turning point for Toem and her community came in 2012 when private companies began clearing communal lands without prior notification. Faced with authorities who claimed ignorance or powerlessness against higher directives, Toem led her community in a series of daring protests.
The height of her advocacy saw her and fellow community members sleeping outside the provincial hall for seven consecutive nights, enduring rain and thunderstorms to demand a meeting with the governor. This persistence eventually led to a signed agreement and the temporary withdrawal of the encroaching company. Her approach—characterized by “proper speech, honesty, and non-violence”—earned her the title of a “Model Woman” among her peers and civil society organizations.
Rights, Land, and Seeds
At the core of Toem’s message is the preservation of indigenous autonomy. She emphasizes three pillars:
- Our Rights: The full legal right to live and exist on ancestral lands without being treated as migrants or newcomers.
- Our Land: The security of communal land titles that prevent the displacement of indigenous families.
- Our Seeds: The sovereignty to save and plant traditional seeds—rice, beans, and vegetables—rather than becoming dependent on commercial agricultural products.
“We don’t want to be migrant workers or laborers for others,” she says. “We want to be true farmers with full rights to our land.”
A Call to the New Generation
As Cambodia continues to develop, Mrs. Toem is turning her eyes toward the future. She has issued a direct appeal to Prime Minister Hun Manet and international organizations to expedite the resolution of land disputes and support indigenous livelihoods.
More importantly, she is calling on the youth and women of her community to find their bravery. Her message to the next generation is a rhythmic reminder of their heritage: “Our rights, our land, our seeds. If we have these, we have ourselves.”