A women-led motorcycle campaign is revving up to blend the freedom of the open road with grassroots tourism and female empowerment across Cambodia. The initiative, called "Ride With Confidence – Together We Ride. Together We Rise," will kick off with a group ride through Siem Reap and the Angkor temple complex before expanding to Battambang, Kampot, Kep, and Preah Sihanouk.

At its heart, the campaign pairs the thrill of riding with a mission to spotlight the women who help shape Cambodia's most distinctive destinations — from entrepreneurs and artists to tourism professionals and community leaders.

"The motorcycle is the symbol, but women are the story," said Muna Haq, the campaign's founder and organiser. "We want people discovering Cambodia to also discover the women behind its destinations — the entrepreneurs, artists, tourism professionals, creators and community leaders."

Beyond the Ride

The December 12–13 Angkor ride is just one piece of the puzzle. A three-month digital and advocacy campaign will surround the event, introducing audiences — both domestic and international — to destinations, women's stories, and the communities that give each place its character.

The project reflects the growing influence women have in tourism-related livelihoods. In coastal Kampot, women run homestays, produce food for visitors, and manage other tourism enterprises. In Siem Reap, women have become increasingly prominent as business owners and tourism professionals.

Ride With Confidence aims to use these stories to nudge visitors past the usual tourist trail and toward the people and small businesses that form the backbone of local destinations.

A Platform for Mutual Encouragement

Lead rider Koy Anna — known for her advocacy work and for walking from Phnom Penh to Angkor on the "Walk with Hope" trek — said the campaign offers women a chance to lift each other up.

"When women see other women stepping forward, trying something new and supporting each other, it can give them confidence to do the same," Anna said. "I want this campaign to celebrate Cambodian women from different communities and backgrounds and show that our strength is not only individual — it becomes stronger when women support women."

The campaign also ties into the Center for Women's Global Leadership's "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence," linking its themes of confidence and visibility with broader efforts to advance lives free from violence and discrimination.

Looking Ahead

Organisers envision Ride With Confidence as an annual event that grows to cover more Cambodian destinations and involve a wider network of women, communities, and partners. Starting in 2027, they hope to connect the initiative with women riders and organisations across ASEAN, fostering regional exchange while drawing international attention to Cambodian community-based tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism is supporting the campaign's development, and organisers are actively seeking partnerships with UN agencies, embassies, responsible businesses, tourism operators, airlines, hotels, mobility companies, financial institutions, telecommunications firms, and lifestyle brands.

Ultimately, the women behind the ride want the visibility generated by the event to translate into real opportunities for the women and communities featured along the way.

Together they ride. Together they rise.