Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, with a growing inequality between urban
and rural settings. Around 90 percent of Cambodia’s poor live in rural areas. Poverty is a key
challenge for many adults and children with disabilities who face challenges associated with limited
access to services, discrimination, and fewer opportunities to participate in the community. The
ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and recent adoption
of the National Disability Strategic Plan 2014-2018 (NDSP) are indications of the commitment of the
Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to addressing the rights and improving the daily life of people
living with disability. However, it is widely recognized that on-going external financial and technical
support is needed to fully implement the CRPD and NDSP.
In response to this need, UNICEF Cambodia, in partnership with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are implementing the 5-year
programme; the Disability Rights Initiative Cambodia (DRIC). UNICEF is leading on the component
“Inclusive Governance and Community Development.” To better understand the current situation on
the ground for women, girls, boys and men with disabilities at the sub-national level, UNICEF
commissioned a situation analysis for disability-inclusive governance and community development.