Creating a Powerful Sisterhood: A Feminist Leadership Retreat for Mekong Water Governance Leaders

In a region that often places women at the bottom of the list and exposes them to vulnerable due to cultural and normative practices, it is important to create spaces where women can come together, support one another, and build strong sisterhoods. This is especially crucial in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as water governance. Self-care, collective care, and solidarity are not just words – they are essential tools for women to access, reflect upon and thrive in their careers and personal lives. This feminist retreat for Mekong water governance leaders is to provide a safe and empowering space where women can connect, learn, and recharge. Join us as we explore the power of connection and sisterhood fostering a community where women uplift each other and make a lasting impact on water governance in their community and the region. 

Celebrating the Resiliency of Female Leaders in Water Governance

The creation of this space celebrates the unique strengths and hidden power that women bring to the water governance. As defenders of river, mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, we possess abundant resources to offer to others, while simultaneously grappling with societal expectations. However, these factors can also strengthen us. By coming together, we can leave behind stress and work pressure and fully immerse ourselves in the present moment. Through the "River of Life" exercise, we reflect upon our past experiences, both moment of hardship and joy, and the life events that have shaped us into who we are today. Reflecting on this allows us to take pride in our accomplishments and celebrate every success, no matter how small, in spite of the challenges. As women, we possess the power to transform difficult lives into successful one.

Unleashing the Potential of Women in Influence Water Governance Related issues 

At our feminist retreat for water governance leaders, we firmly believe that women have untapped potential when it comes to shaping the future of natural resources management. We had the privilege of listening to an inspiring story from Mae Sompong, who led her community in Northern Thailand against the impact of the Pak mun Dam project. Mae Sompong’s life journey taught us that change takes times, but it eventually yields sign of hope and results. Now it is time to unleash this potential and harness the power of women to create lasting change. 

Overcoming societal norms, Mae Sompong emerged as a woman leader actively involve in movements against the dam project. She advocated for women's inclusion in decision making processes that matter the movement. Despite facing initial obstacles, she preserved and, after a decade, was finally allowed to join and lead the movement. With 37 years of experience, she fought legal battles and overcome challenges, rallying thousands to fight for livelihoods. Her goal stays consistent: to open dams, restore nature and ecosystem, and foster harmony between humanity and the environment in the face of climate change. 

Mae Sompong’s story was just the beginning of the intergenerational sharing experience at our retreat, with young women and older generations sharing common and unique challenges from their journeys. Many, a young women leader from Ratanakiri province, northeast Cambodia said ‘There were moments when I felt like giving up, but these struggles have shaped me into the person I am today. Against the expectations placed on indigenous women, I have achieved more than my parents could have imagined. My accomplishments, including travels to Thailand and Laos, make my parents very proud.’. 

NhatAnh from Vietnam, former leader of CSRD, also shared that ‘When I was young, I wanted to be strong like a boy, so I cut my hair short.’  She expressed the pain she felt from societal expectations about conforming to traditional gender roles, especially in masculine society. Nhat added, ‘Being strong as a woman is different from being strong as a man. Since understanding this, I feel better and no longer try to be strong like a man.’

Throughout the retreat, we provided opportunities for women to develop their leadership qualities, strengthen their voices, and deepen their knowledge through storytelling and exchange. By creating a supportive, safe, and empowering environment, we helped participants realize their full potential, transforming them into agents of positive change within their communities and societies.

From Self-Care to Collective Care

We explored the concept of collective care, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal well-being with the well-being of the collective in women leadership. We emphasized the significant of taking care of ourselves while also looking out for one another. This aligns with the principle of feminist leadership, which values collaboration, inclusivity, and recognizing that we all face challenges.

The main point of the discussions involved the interconnectedness of the team. We acknowledged that when one person is struggling, it affects everyone. We explored practical strategies, such as managing heavy workloads, navigating tasks assigned by male executives, and suggesting collective time off. In our discussions, we highlighted the importance of working together, fostering open communication, and embracing vulnerability in feminist leadership. This future reinforces the idea of caring for ourselves and each other. This leadership approach involves sharing responsibilities, maintaining effective communication, and openly addressing our challenges.

Designing a Transformative Retreat Experience

At our feminist retreat, we are committed to creating a transformative experience that ignites the potential within each participant and facilitator.  We understand the importance of designing a retreat that not only educates and empowers, but also inspires and rejuvenates, allowing everyone to feel a sense of ownership in every process. Participants have the opportunity to disconnect from the pressures of daily life and immerse themselves into a space that fosters reflection and personal growth.

"As a leader with limited knowledge and opportunities for formal training, hearing about other women's journeys during the workshop was encouraging. It reminded me that everyone is doing  their best, so I started taking things easier and became more confident. The workshop showed me my situation, helped me evolve, and made me feel equal. Although I feel there is room for improvement in my leadership skills, it raised me to a place of equality," said Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, Director of WARECOD

Our facilitator team has carefully collated a program that combines thoughtful workshops, engaging discussions, and experiential learning activities. We have explored various topics such as Self-Reflection and Appreciation, Leadership Quality, Healing and Inner Peace building, and Self-Evaluaiton by using Wellness Wheel. The retreat has also incorporated mindfulness and self-care practices, ensuring that participants are nourishing their own well-being throughout the journey. From morning mediation sessions to guided meditations, we have provided a holistic approach to personal growth and empowerment.

Luy Reaksmey, Executive Director of CEPA said, ‘In my years of participating in gender and women leadership training and workshops, this feminist leadership retreat stands out. It goes beyond the typical presentation-style experience and offer a unique journey that unfolds through art and the power of shared stories.’ 

“I feel really safe to share my story, and I have been inspired by the stories shared by other women in this retreat. It has greatly impacted my leadership journey,” said Noudsavanh Pheungsavanh, Facilitator and Communication Officer (The Land Learning Initiative for Food Security Enhancement (LIFE project).

This Feminist Leadership Retreat has left us unforgettable memories as leaders. We invite everyone to join us for this transformative retreat experience and become part of a powerful sisterhood of feminist leaders who are shaping the future of water governance in Mekong Region. Share your inspired story and contribute to the creation of a more transformative, safe, and trusting space for our community and female leaders in civil society organizations who are at the forefront to protecting our river and leading our communities.