Mao Map
Mao Map, the Executive Director of Klahaan (meaning ‘brave’ in Khmer), is a women human rights defender dedicated to advancing women’s rights in Cambodia. At Klahaan, she plays a pivotal role as an intersectional feminist, trainer/facilitator, gender advocate, and ally to LGBTIQ+ activists, indigenous women and other marginalised women. Her work strengthens the human rights movement through technical support and initiatives that empower women in all their diversity.
Map leads a team of young and creative feminists, with whom she develops and implements impactful programs such as participatory action research, digital campaigns to shift attitudes and behaviours, and youth engagement projects on gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and bodily autonomy. Her advocacy extends to international platforms, including CEDAW monitoring and Universal Periodic Reviews (UPRs) and her participation to the US State Department’ International Visitor Leadership Program focussing on investigating and prosecuting cases of human rights violation.
Before her tenure at Klahaan, she used to work with the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) for 17 years, where she held different roles. She graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics and in Information of Technology from the Walan University, both in Cambodia.