PHNOM PENH: The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth (MoSVY) and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council (DAC), Em Chan Makara, has urged all media outlets to participate in disseminating achievements in the field of disability in Cambodia to the public, both inside and outside the country, saying that the recent advances in the field of disability are a testament to the realization of rights, and leaving no one behind.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 2nd Cambodian Voice of the Persons with Disabilities with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Award on Friday afternoon, Secretary of State Em Chan Makara stated that the Royal Government of Cambodia has set out and introduced the National Disability Strategic Plan 2019-2023 to ensure the equal participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in social activities including culture, art, religion, sports and recreation. The plan also addresses the need to organize arts groups and facilitate the participation of PWDs in arts and culture programs, such as in television, film, theater and other cultural activities.

The Secretary of State also announced his support for the Cambodian Voice of Persons with Disabilities program, saying that this event reflects a new development in the field of disability in Cambodia. He urged all media outlets to participate in disseminating the achievements made in the field of disability in Cambodia, including this vocal program.

He said, "The information sector plays an important role in disseminating and promoting the implementation of laws on the protection and promotion of the rights of PWDs, as well as conventions and national strategic plans related to disability.”

Currently, there are more than 500,000 PWDs in Cambodia, accounting for 4.9% of the total population.

The Royal Government planned the 2nd Cambodian Voice for Persons with Disabilities program to encourage Cambodian PWDs throughout the country to express their abilities and artistic talents. This program will run from April 2022 until May 2023, with Phnom Penh as the host for the opening ceremony. The semi-finals will be held in Sihanoukville and the finals in Siem Reap.

The Royal Government Delegate in charge of the Director General of the General Department of Information and Audiovisual, and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Examination Program, Phos Sovann, said that the organization of the 2nd Cambodian Voice for Persons with Disabilities program will run until the 32nd SEA-Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games in 2023, which Cambodia will host while promoting the rights of PWDs. This vocal competition program has the support of Prime Minister Hun Sen, and 13 ministries, public and private institutions.

Currently, 500 candidates have applied to compete for this award. The first-place winner will receive a trophy and a prize of 50 million riel, while the second- and third-place winners will receive 30 and 20 million riel respectively. The fourth and fifth place winners will also receive 15 million riel each.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}