Sour inspires triumph over adversity

IN a heartfelt message, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour urged people with disabilities not to succumb to despair but rather to strive against societal challenges, highlighting ongoing efforts by the government and civil society organisations (CSOs) to create more opportunities for their active participation in society.

“Don’t let it bring you down if someone mentions our different abilities. I’ve been there myself, finding solace in the thought that their words may not be meant as disdain. Often, out of a hundred people, 98 are just ordinary folks. When they don’t notice us, they might approach us with friendly banter. So, don’t let those small words get you down,” he said.

Sour also stressed that individuals with disabilities are not burdens on society, unless the entire community, families and those with disabilities see themselves as such. He underscored the need to offer hope to people with disabilities in such situations.

“I’ve had conversations with experts and studied approaches in other countries to ensure that Cambodian individuals with disabilities have meaningful opportunities, particularly in employment,” he said.

The minister urged over 40 CSOs dedicated to working with people with disabilities to join hands in fostering opportunities. This includes collaborating on initiatives like providing access to vocational training through government programmes such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip people with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.

Sour reiterated that in Cambodia, individuals with disabilities possess the right to officially engage in both public and private sectors. Currently, this participation is less than 1 per cent, but the government aims to elevate it to at least 3 per cent. He also encouraged the private sector to facilitate employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that individuals with disabilities are integral citizens, deserving dignified status and social equity. Whether dealing with paralysis, deafness or physical impairments, they should not face hardships compelling them to resort to public begging for a livelihood.

“Boosting employment for individuals with disabilities is a commendable initiative, but it needs to be pragmatic. It’s crucial to foster equity, eradicate discrimination and tailor training to provide knowledge and skills aligning with their unique abilities. Let’s hope this policy sees effective implementation,” he said.

Peou also noted that the primary challenges in improving the employment rate for people with disabilities include discrimination by society, insufficient capacity training and the slow implementation of previously outlined policies.