The peacebuilders did not discuss political structure directly, but their stories demonstrated some of the basic reality for families in Cambodia. For example, one case shared how family elders intervened in a family conflict and encouraged the family to stay together.
Perhaps the most significant reference to the political structure came during a role play when a male participant said, “if you don't like that, we can go to the village chief.” (n1) The focus group shared that a common meaning of this statement is often, “just be quiet, you know you don't have a case,” reflecting a perception that these local authorities (almost always male) give preference to males in disputes and/or do not seek to have a deep understanding of the issues.
