INTRODUCTION
The recent history of Cambodia has left a legacy of high numbers
of disabled persons of all ages and conditions. A Socio-Economic
survey conducted in 1997 indicated that people with disabilities
form 2.2 percent of the population. This figure is very low
compared to data from developed countries that show that 15
percent or more of their populations have disabilities. The
discrepancy can be explained at least partially by confusion in
terms used to define disability and by the lack of trained
workers to gather disability data.
People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged groups
in Cambodian society. Many, especially women with disabilities,
experience discrimination and have poor access to education,
training and employment opportunities thus reducing their
participation in activities within the family, community and
society. The loss of economic productivity to the nation is also
a major factor to consider in relation to people with
disabilities. As either the head of the household or as a family
member people with disabilities have the potential to contribute
to the economic development of the family and ultimately to
Cambodia. Therefore opportunities must be available for people
with disabilities to be involved in income generating
activities.
The Cambodian government works under enormous constraints and is
seriously under-resourced for the effective development of
programmes and/or services for people with disabilities. The
Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training, and
Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY) has been assigned to undertake
the main responsibility for disability and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, it is a poorly supported and financed ministry
lacking major resources to address critical issues in the
disability and rehabilitation sector, especially in a country
which has experienced over 30 years of war and economic chaos.
Therefore, more attention and support, particularly from the
government is needed for MOSALVY to undertake its mandate.
It is the obligation of the individual, family, community,
private sector, government, NGOs, and international
organizations to further consider and develop policy guidelines
to enable people with disabilities, including mine victims, to
fulfill their potential and lead a life free from discrimination
KEY ISSUES
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Legislation on Disability
Cambodia has no legislation on disability although a draft
legislation has been prepared. This draft legislation has
been designed taking into consideration practical approaches
to deal with most of the numerous problems facing people
with disabilities in Cambodia. It is a basic tool for the
promotion and development of measures to enable individual(s)
and organization(s) to strengthen management capabilities to
develop and initiate activities on disability prevention and
social problem solving. The law should also contribute to
developing a policy framework and guidelines for inclusion
and integration of people with disabilities into mainstream
development of programmes (including education, vocational
training, and employment) while recognising some specialised
services are still needed for specific categories of
disabilities.
The draft law aims to ensure the protection of the rights of
all people with disabilities and prohibition of abuse and
neglect of these persons and discrimination against them.
Therefore, the government should take the lead role and
responsibility in amending the draft law as well as the
enactment initiation.
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Gaps in Services
There is crucial need for key players to consider
collaborative action in developing policies, guidelines, and
long term investment plans to avoid overlapping and to fill
the gaps in services. Factors to consider include the
following:
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The geographical coverage of programmes,
activities, and services: lack of services and
programmes in remote areas where most people with
disabilities including land mine victims live;
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The types of services provided in
relation to categories of disabilities: the needs of
some types of people with disabilities have not been
met;
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Lack of qualitative data on the
situation of people with disabilities;
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Lack of technical and financial
resources to provide adequate services;
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Lack of long term investment plan for
the Disability and Rehabilitation sector; and
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Lack of jobs and income generation
opportunities for vulnerable groups.
A fundamental issue arising from analysing
gaps in services has been the limited representation by people
with disabilities including women with disabilities to take
their place and role in society. So, the implications of a
social model of disability for policies, laws, programmes, and
services are significant and wide-ranging. Thus, attention
should be paid, to the social disadvantage of people with
disabilities and to alleviation of their disadvantages and
ensuring equality and human rights.
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How to Fill the Gaps in Services
National coordination and collaboration: Disability Action
Council
Critical measures are needed to avoid over- lapping of
services, to maximize resources and ensure that quality
services are systematically planned, implemented and
monitored to meet the various needs of people with
disabilities. Currently, the disability and rehabilitation
sector has in place the Disability Action Council (DAC),
which is the only national coordinating body. The DAC plays
a key role in coordinating, facilitating, negotiating, and
net working between individuals, organisations, and
institutions working for the well being of people with
disabilities. These factors play a major role in the
formulation of the National Cambodian Plan of Action for the
Disability and Rehabilitation Sector currently being
developed with the input of both government and NGOs.
Inclusive Strategies
It is essential that both government and donor organisations
examine their policies, programmes, and services to ensure
that people with disabilities have access to services in the
same way as non-disabled people. Therefore, opportunities
need to be created to ensure existing services are
accessible to people with disabilities. Each must examine
what is currently being done and what additional activities
could be under- taken to ensure that people with
disabilities benefit from programmes and services.
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The primary task of Government
The lack of financial resources and working
structure/behaviors are major obstacles for tackling social
problems in Cambodia. The main reasons generally cited are
lack of national resources, problems in allocation and
access, and transparency.
A high percentage of revenues are channeled into security
and the defense rather than the social sector (for fiscal
year 2000, almost half of the national budget goes towards
the security and defense sector - almost twice as much as
the health, education, environment, social affairs and women
affairs sectors combined). Moreover it is often difficult to
access allocated budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To address these key issues, and improve the situation of people
with disabilities in Cambodia we recommend that donors and the
Royal Government of Cambodia:
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Strongly commit and take concrete steps to
increase the budget for long term investment in the social
sectors, particularly MOSALVY.
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Actively involve joint discussions and close
collaboration regarding a demobilization plan, with the NGOs
and donor community sharing roles and responsibilities as
well as resources for the programme implementation including
a comprehensive reintegration plan and access to social
services.
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Promote administrative reform and good
governance to facilitate efficient and effective government
institutions.
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Enact legislation on the rights of people
with disabilities to be widely disseminated and effectively
enforced.
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Systematically and effectively develop
stronger strategies in order to raise awareness and advocacy
among policy makers, the general public, and people with
disabilities themselves.
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Integrate people with disabilities into the
mainstream of social and economic development including
health care, education, physical/mental rehabilitation,
vocational rehabilitation, and economic development, as part
of the ongoing development of the Cambodian Plan of Action.
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Continue to allocate resources for capacity
building of government ministries, especially MOSALVY.
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