Pink phones project for Cambodian women – in pictures

Women in Kampong Thom province, in central Cambodia, can use the pink phones provided by Oxfam to get information that helps them plan when to harvest, and this goes a long way towards protecting livelihoods and securing them a better future. The phones also enable the women to buy bigger plots of land, sell more vegetables, save money, and make improvements to their homes. Before the project, women weren't in a level position with the men in relation to selling their crops and seeking better prices Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

The phones aren't just used to receive information; they are also used to call traders, to arrange collections of produce, and to call doctors when children are sick. The phones have also been used to report domestic violence
Photograph: Simon Rawles

Prang Somun, front centre, is a single parent living with her mother and children. Although she doesn't have her own pink phone, she has access to one when she needs it. All of the community use the phone of her her sister-in-law, Chum Kor, front left, to call a doctor or the police if they need to. The phones have enabled the women to become more independent, and they have also brought to light cases of domestic violence Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

Som Phalla, 22, is married with one son. She is one of three people to receive a pink mobile phone in her community. She has benefited by saving lots of time and money. After years of having to walk miles to the doctor, she can now call when her child is unwell. She is responsible for sharing information with the rest of her community, so that more families can benefit from the project Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

Chum Kor gets vital information about market prices on her phone, which helps her to sell her crops at better prices. With the money she has saved, she is able to send her daughter to school. ‘The benefits and money I have gained from the pink phones project I use for my child,’ she says. ‘I buy books and pens for her, and I used the money to buy clothes for her as well. I also save money for her to pursue a higher education in the future'
Photograph: Simon Rawles

Chum Kor, far left, says: 'The text message I receive is really important because it helps me decide which crop to plant at the appropriate time, and it helps me to increase productivity. Yesterday, I received information about the weather and I harvested my vegetables before the storm came.’ She is responsible for sharing this information with the rest of her community so that other families can also benefit from the project Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

The phones allow women to access information about current prices, and then they call meetings to help support one another Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

Chum Kor says she is really proud of what she has been able to do for herself and also for being able to help her community Photograph: Simon Rawles/Oxfam

Chum Kor harvests vegetables in her field. Thanks to the phone project she has been able to buy a bigger plot of land, grow and sell more vegetables, and make improvements to her home Photograph: Simon Rawles/Simon Rawles