Project Aokas: Fighting for Inclusion in Cambodia

                                                                                                                                      Oliver King(Operations Manager, Inclusive Cambodia)

In a small gym in Phnom Penh, a quiet revolution is underway. Children and young people - many living in poverty, some with disabilities, others facing deep social exclusion - are learning to fight. Not in anger, but with purpose. Through the discipline of jiu jitsu, they are discovering strength, self-worth, and community. This is the essence of Project Aokas.

A Vision for Inclusion

Founded by H/Art Academy, Project Aokas is one of Cambodia’s first fully inclusive youth sports initiatives. It welcomes children from marginalised communities - both boys and girls from impoverished households and youth with intellectual or physical disabilities - into an environment where diversity is not just accepted, but celebrated.

Since 2020, the project has operated under the governance of Inclusive Cambodia, a national NGO committed to advancing the rights and wellbeing of marginalised youth. This partnership expanded Aokas’ mission beyond sport to include education, mental health support, and gender equity.

Confronting Gender and Disability Inequality Through Sport

In Cambodia, deeply rooted norms such as those in the Chbab Srey - a historical code of conduct for women - have long upheld expectations of female submission and discouraged participation in public life, including sports. These norms contribute to alarming realities: one in five Cambodian women has experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner.

The challenges women face in sports reflect this broader context of inequality. At Project Aokas, we believe martial arts can be a powerful force for transformation. Participation builds confidence, imparts practical self-defence skills, and defies harmful stereotypes. We envision girls and young women training alongside their male peers - visible in their communities as strong, capable individuals who challenge traditional gender roles.

Our approach also centres on collaboration and mutual respect. Young men and women train together, learning to support one another as equals. These inclusive experiences foster not only gender equity in sport but lasting social change, influencing families, communities, and future generations.

Inclusion, however, must extend beyond gender. Youth with disabilities in Cambodia face compounded barriers - social, physical, and institutional - that often prevent meaningful participation in sport and society. Aokas is designed to actively dismantle these barriers. We promote access, visibility, and respect for children of all abilities.

Contemporary global research supports this inclusive model. UNESCO identifies sport as a driver of education and leadership, while the World Health Organization highlights its role in improving mental health and emotional well-being - particularly when delivered in safe, inclusive environments.

Why Sport?

The Unique Ability of Inclusive Sports

It is widely acknowledged that sport has the unique ability to transcend linguistic, cultural and social barriers. This makes it an excellent platform for strategies of inclusion and adaptation. Its popularity and broad audience means that examples exhibited by its participants, and sports policy, are seen and considered by many people across a range of demographics. Together with the physical, social and economic development benefits of sports participation and viewing, it becomes an ideal tool for fostering the inclusion and well-being of people with disabilities.

Double Discrimination

Globally, 93% of women with disabilities are not involved in sport, and women comprise only one-third of athletes with disabilities in international competitions. This reflects systemic barriers and a form of double discrimination based on both gender and disability.

Inclusive sport is vital for challenging stereotypes and providing women with disabilities a platform to demonstrate strength and competence. It affirms their right to participate, lead, and thrive.

Putting Inclusion into Practice

Project Aokas brings these principles to life by:

● Delivering inclusive martial arts training that builds physical and emotional strength

● Supporting school attendance and academic achievement

● Offering trauma-informed mental health counselling

● Promoting gender equality and addressing social discrimination

● Creating pathways for youth of all abilities to reach national-level athletic competition

Today, Project Aokas supports over 150 children, and over 500 family members. By 2026, that number is expected to exceed 250 children and 1000 family members, broadening the project’s reach and impact.

What We Do

Raising the Bar for Female Participation

Aokas celebrates a landmark achievement: 60% of participants are girls. Nine of our students have already represented Cambodia on the international stage in jiu jitsu - five of them female. In 2023, two Aokas-trained athletes competed in the 32nd SEA Games, and by 2026, three disabled athletes from the programme will compete in national jiu jitsu tournaments.

Support Beyond the Mat: Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Aokas, the support we offer extends beyond physical training. On-site mental health services provide counselling to youth facing trauma, anxiety, or stigma. Families are included too - helping create stronger, more supportive home environments.

“Jiu jitsu has helped Sochantha to build his strength and also to cope with being in groups and crowds. I am happy and grateful for Inclusive Cambodia. You have helped my child and my family.”

 - Chamroeun, mother of Sochantha, a student with Down Syndrome-

Embracing Kun Khmer: Cambodia’s Martial Heritage

A new chapter in the Aokas journey is the introduction of Kun Khmer, Cambodia’s traditional martial art. In collaboration with Kingdom Fight Gym, we now offer inclusive Kun Khmer sessions. These classes teach valuable striking and clinching techniques while also building pride in Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

More than just a sport, inclusive Kun Khmer is a tool for empowerment - helping children in poverty gain strength, confidence, and a sense of identity.

Inclusive Sports Training 

Our Inclusive Sports Traineeship Programme equips coaches across Cambodia with the knowledge and skills needed to create welcoming environments for disabled athletes. Topics include disability awareness, adaptive training methods, and inclusive coaching practices.

In 2024, eight Aokas coaches completed this comprehensive programme - making them among the most thoroughly trained inclusive sports coaches in Cambodia. Not only does this further our cause at the national sporting level, but it provides our young coaches - all of whom have grown and trained through Aokas - with exciting opportunities for employment. Becoming a jiu jitsu coach helps them to step outside of their own cycle of poverty, and earn money in a growing sport and an emerging market. 

Our ambition is to replicate this model across the country and, ultimately, share it globally to support inclusive and para sport initiatives worldwide. 

Safeguarding in Sport

Creating safe, inclusive training environments is a top priority. Project Aokas supports the Ju-Jitsu Federation of Cambodia (JJFC) with two dedicated safeguarding specialists who oversee the implementation of child protection policies and respond to concerns.

Further strengthening our commitment, Oliver King, Head of Safeguarding for the Ju-Jitsu Asian Union (JJAU), provides expert guidance to ensure regional best practices are upheld across JJFC and its affiliates.

We also deliver safeguarding training to coaches and gym leaders. These sessions address child protection, bullying, mental health, and adaptive coaching - laying the foundation for safer, more respectful martial arts communities.

Economic Empowerment for Women

True inclusion must include economic independence, and it must include the families of those young people we serve. Our newest project supports young and adult women - both disabled and non-disabled - in gaining the knowledge, tools, and resources to start and sustain small businesses. Through a combination of comprehensive training workshops, financial and resource support, and nationwide accessible advocacy, our project is committed to sustainable change in Cambodia for existing and aspiring female entrepreneurs living in poverty.

“Before I started, I didn’t know how to record income or expenses for my house and shop. Now that I have the right information, my business is doing much better.”

 - Sreymoch, local entrepreneur and programme participant -

New in 2025: Tackling Gender-Based Violence

In 2025, Project Aokas launched a dedicated initiative to address gender-based violence (GBV). Monthly workshops provide education on GBV prevention, self-defence, conflict resolution, and de-escalation - equipping young people with the skills to stay safe and assert their rights.

For girls and young women especially, martial arts becomes a practical and symbolic tool for empowerment. This initiative also confronts harmful traditional beliefs - such as those in the Chbab Srey - that have historically discouraged female agency.

By fostering confidence, awareness, and peer support, Aokas is helping young women grow into leaders who are unafraid to speak, act, and thrive.

An Important Goal for Development

Expanding access to inclusive sport is not just a legal obligation for states - it is a developmental imperative under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - sport must be leveraged as a vehicle for inclusion, empowerment, and equality.

With this always in our mind, Project Aokas keeps its advocacy at the grassroots level and pointed high at government and sports institutions. We are constantly engaging Cambodian sports federations, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, and ju-jitsu global governance to enhance and spread our message, share our approaches and our unique understandings gathered from years in the field. 

A National Model for Inclusive Sport

From a humble mat in Phnom Penh to international podiums, Project Aokas is redefining what sport can achieve. Supported by Inclusive Cambodia, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, and the Ju-Jitsu Federation of Cambodia, Aokas is emerging as a national model for inclusive sport.

In a country where opportunities are not equitably distributed, Project Aokas proves that - with the right support - every child, regardless of ability or background, can discover strength, purpose, and belonging.

※ Views expressed in this article are the author's own