Advocacy programme seeks to ensure children’s welfare

SIBU: Child Advocacy Programme: The Love for Children serves as a foundation for sharing information about the protection and rights of children.

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said children have the right to know their rights.

“This is why we work with the police and other related parties, especially those involved in law enforcement, to protect children.

“We provide opportunities for children to understand what to do if something happens to them or someone they know.

“We also give out contact numbers for NGOs and schools for those who are here, so they know who to contact if something happens. This is what we are doing today with 200 students participating,” she said.

She said this after launching the programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama Sibu here Saturday (Aug 3).

Earlier, she said  that the programme aims to increase children’s understanding of situations that require care and protection.

She added that it also provides exposure to the actions that parents, guardians, children themselves, or the community can take when involved in such cases.

“It gives the Child Protection Teams (PPKK) an opportunity to better understand the children in their areas so they can play their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the PPKK and Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak (PAKK) Guidelines,” she said.

She emphasised that the community should know what to do if they are aware of a child experiencing abuse or neglect.

“If you see something suspicious, report it immediately to the police or the Talian Kasih at 15999. Do not just record videos for social media; report it to us,” she added.

She hoped to contribute to improving the safety of children from both mental and physical aspects.

“The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development also hopes that we can work together to find the right solutions to social problems related to children and to safeguard and protect children to curb an increase in child abuse and neglect cases in the future,” she added.

Also present were Sibu Division Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman and Sibu District Police Chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili.