PHNOM PENH: The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and Secretary General of Disability Action Council, Em Chan Makara, has called on citizens to increase their awareness of the disability sector in Cambodia, and to work together to prevent any form of violence against women and children with disabilities in Cambodia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training course on negotiation skills and basic knowledge related to gender and disability for women with disabilities on Wednesday morning, 26 October, at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh, Secretary of State Em Chan Makara said that women and girls with disabilities around the world experience greater poverty, suffering, stigma, discrimination and violence in many forms compared to men and women without disabilities.

He said that the world is currently going through two major crises, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the ongoing crisis of climate change, both of which are known to disproportionately affect women.

However, he said that since the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in Cambodia, the Royal Government has put in place a highly effective response plan to provide emergency assistance to purchase medical equipment and supplies to support the people. This includes the urgent purchase of rapid test kits, a widespread Covid-19 vaccine roll out, a broadening of Covid-19 treatment, and ensuring that there is a public health management system in place for all to access, especially pregnant women, women and girls with disabilities, and the elderly.

The Secretary of State added that the Royal Government of Cambodia has also implemented a cash subsidy program for pregnant women, children under two years old, and women with disabilities since June 2019. Another program providing cash assistance to poor and vulnerable families during the Covid-19 pandemic began in June 2020, and has now also lasted for two years and four months.

Additionally, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, and other relevant institutions have pioneered new paths and sought more opportunities for women and girls with disabilities in Cambodia, by creating skilled employment opportunities for women and facilitating entrepreneurship opportunities or providing finances and training to help expand their businesses.

Secretary of State Em Chan Makara stressed that the Royal Government of Cambodia has paid close attention to the rights of persons with disabilities by launching the National Disability Strategic Plan 2019-2023, which focuses primarily on gender issues and ending violence against women and girls with disabilities.

"Persons with disabilities are further protected by the Disability Law, which means that when persons with disabilities are violated, the perpetrators will be punished according to the law and will receive a more aggravated punishment based on this law," he said.

He added that the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, as well as the General Secretariat of the Disability Action Council, is strongly committed to ensuring that all women and girls, especially women and girls with disabilities, have equal rights, opportunities and protection, and are also encouraged to have their voices be included in the decision-making process.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}