HIGHER EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA Poor rural female students’ challenges, motivations, and coping strategies

Abstract: Aim: The higher education system in Cambodia is from a gender equality perspective clearly unequal. This inequality is related to the societal gender patterns which determine not only women’s access to higher education but also their struggle to remain in the program. Therefore, this study attempts to map out the mechanisms behind these conditions in order to understand certain challenges encountered by poor rural female students. Theory: The purpose of this study under the framework of feminist emancipatory philosophy is to bring social change. Under this framework, women need to make their voice heard as a collective strength in order to bring social change. It is hoped that by giving insight into the difficulties encountered by female students in higher education, awareness will be raised among school principals, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to take immediate actions so more women can attend higher education. Method: A qualitative study is adopted to detail the subjective experiences of six female Cambodian students from rural areas who come to study at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Results: Based on unstructured in-depth interviews with the participants, the study reveals a number of major challenges that hinder them from participating and completing higher education. These include gender values, financial constraints, academic problems, physical health problems, and social relations with others and safety. The findings also identify a number of coping strategies adopted by these participants to overcome their challenges. Additionally, the study reveals that the main factors that motivate these rural women to overcome the challenges are future career, improving family conditions, breaking social stigma, and being independent. The knowledge and information on these challenges have the implications for the government, university principals and other relevant stakeholders in finding ways to promote gender equality. The study also has the potential to pave the way for the prospective female students who aspire to obtain higher education.