Negotiation Tactics – A Key Skill that Women and Girls with Disabilities are Learning to Break their Silence
The Disability Action Council Secretariat General (DAC-SG) and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) hosted a training session on negotiation skills for women, including those with disabilities from 14 to 17 June 2022. The organising institutions believe it is a crucial skill for the community to stake a claim on their rights in accessing services addressing gender-based violence (GBV). The Australian Government supported the training through the Australia-Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services (ACCESS) Program.
“Negotiation skills are very important for persons with disabilities and as we gain more confidence, we are better able to advocate with our families and communities for appropriate solutions to our issues,” said Ms. Cheat Sokha, a participant of the training on negotiation skills and basic concepts pertaining to gender and disability.
This training is one of MoWA and DAC-SG’s joint activities and is aimed at nurturing intersectional learning in the area of disability inclusion and gender-based violence (GBV) services.
H.E Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), and Secretary General of the DAC-SG, stated in the opening remarks: “Negotiation skills are very crucial for everyone, they lead us to success.” He suggested extending this training to other beneficiaries.
Mr. Connor Floyd, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy to Cambodia, drew from recent global and regional reports that women with disabilities are more likely to face various forms of discrimination and violence than women without disability. “Empowered and confident women with disabilities can share their experience and contribute to identifying the most appropriate solutions to their issues. I am very happy to see that part of the training will focus on public speaking and negotiation skills and that women with disabilities will benefit from it.” he added.
Her Excellency Nhem Morokot, Under Secretary of State and Chair of the Disability Working Action Group (MoWA) addressed the importance of contributions from all relevant stakeholders, especially the Australian Government through the ACCESS Program in the work RGC continues to do and together with the community of persons with disabilities and women in Cambodia. Her excellency stated that in addition to all the strategies, legal framework, and assistance from development partners; community participation is crucial. She hopes the training today would continue to encourage women with disabilities to gain confidence knowing that they are listened to, and help is available for them, especially in response to GBV.
“Combating GBV requires solutions that address the root causes such as eliminating discrimination, promoting gender equality and women’s rights, empowering women especially economically, and increasing women’s active participation in community development through creating more opportunities to unlock women’s potential.” said H.E Morokot.
