PHNOM PENH: The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council (DAC), Em Chan Makara, has said that the incidence of violence against women or girls with disabilities has been greatly reduced in Cambodia. He attributed this reduction to the fact that people are more aware of the rights of persons with disabilities, and due to increased media coverage on this issue.

Speaking to reporters after the opening of the ACCESS training program on "Negotiation Skills and Basic Knowledge on Gender and Disability," Secretary of State, Em Chan Makara, said that the Royal Government of Cambodia has taken great care to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities, especially with the launch of the National Disability Strategic Plan 2019-2023, which focuses on gender issues and stopping the use of violence against women with disabilities. He added that the incidence of violence against women and girls with disabilities has now been significantly reduced in the country.

"Because the media has spread a lot of awareness on Facebook, in the press, on television, and the relevant ministries and institutions have opened training courses so that all stakeholders can [better] understand [these issues]," said the Secretary of State. "The use of violence cannot be reduced if the public is not aware of this issue, so we assess that the media is important in raising awareness among the public about stopping the incidence of violence. This is the main reason why domestic violence in public is reduced, and the psychological education of monks in pagodas is also important."

He also explained that persons with disabilities are further protected by the national Disability Law, which states that when persons with disabilities are violated, the perpetrators must be punished accordingly and must be added another aggravating circumstance based on the Disability Law.

The Secretary of State further called on the public to increase their awareness of disability issues and the wider disability sector, especially regarding the prevention of violence against women and girls with disabilities. Cambodia is a country that does not use or accept violence in any form, whether against persons with disabilities or persons without disabilities, which is part of the Royal Government’s effort to achieve the National Disability Strategic Plan.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}