Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024: Dedication of a Female VMW in Cambodia 11.03.2024

Village Malaria Worker Ms. Srey Touch conducts a malaria rapid diagnostic test in her village. Photo: UNOPS ARHC

8 March 2024, marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. UNOPS Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) joins the world in celebrating this day as we recognize and appreciate the achievements that women accomplish every day. 

In keeping with this year’s theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’, which encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, UNOPS ARHC would like to highlight a female Village Malaria Worker (VMW) who is serving her community as a health worker. 

Ms. Srey Touch comes from a family who migrated to hilly, forested Mondulkiri Province from Tboung Khmum Province in the central lowlands of the Mekong River in Cambodia. She recounts the harrowing experiences her family faced with malaria in Ou Te village, Mondulkiri Province, back in 2009. Her father and her husband were infected with malaria three times in a year. Without much knowledge about malaria, they believed it was caused by the land and water in the area. 

“We tried using traditional medicine every time they got sick, but it couldn’t be cured,” said Srey Touch. 

While caring for her ailing family, Srey Touch became curious about the intricacies of malaria and wanted to understand the reasons behind their frequent illnesses. One day, she went along to a health education session in her village and showed her interest. Her attendance and noticeable interest led the village chief and health centre staff to recruit her as a VMW, to test suspected malaria cases and provide treatment.

Testing approximately 25 suspected cases in her village, Srey Touch not only diagnosed malaria but also became a champion for health education in her community. Malaria incidence continued to decrease in her village. There were two positive cases in 2021 and none reported in 2022 and 2023. She diligently attends monthly meetings at the health centre to stay updated with the latest knowledge and replenish essential malaria commodities such as tests, antimalarial drugs and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).

UNOPS ARHC is proud to feature Srey Touch on International Women’s Day for her dedication and strong commitment to her community. We recognize and celebrate the efforts of many female volunteers like Srey Touch, who strive to ensure that their local communities have access to needed healthcare services, and we congratulate them on their contributions. 

Half of the 5,742 VMWs in Cambodia are women, committed to supporting their communities through providing malaria services.