Everyone has the right to live this life the way they want to. And that’s exactly what Chea Kim Eang does.

A teacher at Bak Tok High School, Eang has decided to go against the traditional Cambodian mould and live her life without a husband. At 60-years-old, she is satisfied with her life and remains financially independent.

“I saw the other people had so many complications after getting married,” she said. “A lot of women didn’t really know their husbands.”

“I’ve lived a happy life and I’m full of pride, even when I hear some nasty comments behind my back.”

Some people, Eang said, blamed her being single on her age or a bad experience with love.

Meanwhile, ?Eang explained, her choice to be single was merely that: a choice.