Artisans with Disabilities

Artisans Association of Cambodia defines ‘Cambodians with disabilities' as individuals who are at a socioeconomic disadvantage due to their physical or mental conditions, or due to other social problems that impede their access to the economic mainstream. This includes numerous individuals who suffer from polio, women who have been sexually exploited, large impoverished families, and many who were wounded by the landmines left over from war. Since 1979, over 40,000 Cambodians have suffered amputations due to mine injuries; that is one in every 290 people, one of the highest ratios in the world. One-third of the victims are children. With 32 member organizations receiving direct support from AAC, more than 4000 people in urban and rural communities benefit from the services it provides. Of the employees working in member organizations, over two-thirds are women; indeed, over half of the member organizations are managed and directed by women. One-third of the employees have disabilities and one-tenth are landmine victims.

Artisan Voices

Keo Sarun, weaver at Stung Treng Women's Development Center (SWDC): “When I was working in the rice fields, I was always thinking about how I might get a job and earn enough for myself and for my family. Since coming to SWDC, my dreams have come true.” Sarun is one of the many weavers at SWDC. Her work and education there has given her self-confidence and provided her with a valuable source of income: she now earns a wage of $85 per month, an impressive amount given that approximately one-third of the Cambodian population lives on less than $1 a day.

Cambodian Silk

The silkworms of Cambodia are unlike those of the surrounding regions. Because of their unique diet of mulberry leaves, these silkworms produce a quality silk thread that is naturally yellow tinted. During the Khmer Rouge regime, many mulberry trees were cut down, leading to the near extinction of these worms. Now, extensive efforts are being devoted to replanting the trees and reviving the silk industry. To make silk, silkworm cocoons are boiled and separated into the outer cocoon, which produces fine silk, and the inner cocoon which produces raw silk. The main difference between the two is texture; raw silk is often considered superior because of its sturdiness. Watthan Artisans Cambodia (WAC), one of AAC's member organizations, offers a high quality four-toned raw silk scarf that we carry here at Global Goods Partners.

Region: Southeast Asia

Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 14,753,320 (2010)

Size: Slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Languages: Khmer (official), French, English

Major religion(s): Buddhist (96.4%), Muslim, other

Literacy rate: Total 73.6%; Men 84.7%; Women 64.1%

Poverty rate: 31% of the population lives below the poverty line

Human trafficking: An estimated 20.2% of 20,829 sex workers are trafficking victims (2003)

Landmine victims: 1 amputee for every 290 people

Did You Know: Cambodia is the only country in the world that depicts a building on its flag: Angkor Wat. One of the oldest and largest surviving religious complexes in the world, Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century! The name is derived from Sanskrit (“angkor” comes from the word for city, and “wat” comes from the word for temple).

All statistics from CIA World Factbook 2010

Its rich culture has made Cambodia a popular tourist destination; art, religion, and architecture thrived under first Hindu Funan, and later, Angkor rule, and this heritage today attracts visitors in droves. Cambodia was colonized by the French in the 19th century and obtained independence following World War II. It endured years of conflict both domestically and internationally with neighboring Vietnam; indeed, Vietnam occupied Cambodia from 1979 to 1989. In 1993, Cambodia finally re-attained self-governance through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, the nation is still recovering from a dark history of war and genocide.

The Khmer Rouge Regime

From 1975 to 1979, Cambodians suffered under the Communist Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. Under his control, years of development were undone as Cambodia was turned into an agricultural society. Those with high levels of education or religious belief, associations with the former government, or different ethnicities were labeled "enemies of the state" and executed in what are now known as the "killing fields." The postal service, currency, hospitals, telephones, books, music, and art were banned or destroyed. In 1979, the Vietnamese invasion ousted the Khmer Rouge, but not before 2 million people were murdered and the country's infrastructure ruined. Cambodia has only just begun to recover from the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge; many continue to fall victim to hidden landmines left over from the war.

Rural Poverty and Urbanization

Today, Cambodia is more stable politically, but still faces a number of challenges in its transition to democracy. Migration from rural areas to the cities is becoming a problem for the country, as in much of the developing world. Droughts, decreasing natural resources, and the rise of large business-style farms are making it very difficult for small subsistence farmers, who make up 85% of the population, to support themselves. As a result, many move to the cities in search of jobs. The large numbers of poor migrants creates slums, where violence, drugs, and the sex industry thrive. Human trafficking is a major issue; women and children are often either kidnapped or sold by their impoverished families out of desperation. To address the large-scale migration and its associated problems, rural poverty must be addressed at its source by creating strong and sustainable local economies in rural areas.

Labor Practices

Many migrants to cities find work in one of Phnom Penh's factories, producing exports for the U.S. garment industry. Previously, labor practices and sweatshops in the factory areas of Phnom Penh were major concerns. Women and children laboring in factories endured poor working conditions and low wages. In 2001, the International Labor Organization (ILO) created the "Better Factories Cambodia" program to ensure that all garment export industries follow labor standards and grant rights to workers. A 2005 World Bank study gave Cambodia good marks for its labor environment, higher than for any other Asian country. Although it still has a long way to go, Cambodia's people are taking great strides to rebuild their country.