Phorn Sopheak is an environmental activist and member of Northern Rural Development (NRD) and Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN), a grassroot movement to protect Prey Lang Forest in Cambodia. Sopheak started working with her parents in the field at very young age and observed the illegal deforestation and logging in her area, as well as the chemical factories which dumped waste into the river and killed many species of fishes. After raising her voice against illegal loggers, she was brutally slashed in the foot with ax in an act of intimidation. Following the attack, Phorn Sopheak declared that the attack only made her stronger to fight for environment. She was awarded with UN Equator Prize at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015 for her efforts to protect her regions ecosystems, and spread knowledge via the Women On Air radio program. Photo Credit: Savann Oeurm / Oxfam America
