More interest, more requests and more involvement

Phnom Penh— At CDMD, we acknowledge the significance to raise the public’s awareness on disability issues, and on December 3^rd 2010, joined International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Wat Botum in Phnom Penh.

This year’s event attracted more than 1,000 participants, making it one of the most remarkable days of the year. Participants joined a daylong event and received new information from the booths where CDMD exhibited and represented its work. With the new branding and logo, CDMD stood out among the other exhibitors and our booth was visited by many people who wanted to know more about our organization.

In the opening statement, Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam Orn emphasized that the government is trying to improve the lives of Persons with Disabilities.

“No one should be abandoned; the government is trying to help everyone - without discriminating,” she said.

More than half a million people in Cambodia live with disabiliy according to the national census figure from 2008, and, therfore, the involvement from government towards an inclusive society is very important.

Since awareness is needed, CDMD co-operated with Action on Disability and Development (ADD) to hold a similar event in Kandal province on the 6^th of December. 

A representative of the impaired said, “Impaired people have limited access to basic rights: education, health and employment. And at the same time we face a lot of discrimination in society”

“We need support from everyone in the community and the government. Cooperation is extremely important,” she added.