Anatomy dolls, age-appropriate illustrations to be part of programme to educate kids on ‘safe touch’

Fatimah (centre) speaking to reporters during a press conference on the baby dumping issue held at the Baitul Makmur II, Petra Jaya in Kuching today (Dec 4, 2023).

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Dec 4: Anatomy dolls and age-appropriate cartoon illustrations will be incorporated as part of the Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy (KAPS) programme for primary school children next year to protect and teach them about the concept of ‘safe touch’, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

The Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) emphasised that when her ministry and relevant agencies carry out programmes for primary school children, the programmes are age-appropriate.

“It’s not the same as what we do with teenagers. It’s more about understanding what safe touch means or what kinds of touches or hugs are safe. Programmes that are age-appropriate so that they can understand.

“The young children will learn which actions are wrong because they have been taught. And the programmes will be pictorial as well. So, this is how we can protect children from a young age,” she told reporters during a press conference on the baby dumping issue held today at the Baitul Makmur II, Petra Jaya.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s Social Development Council (MPS) executive secretary, Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah, stated that the KAPS programme for next year will include a ‘Program Di Dalam Komuniti’ (programme in the community) in which community facilitators will be appointed to develop programmes in villages and longhouses to educate children living in rural areas.

“We will also start the KAPS programme for primary school children next year, beginning with children in primary four through primary six,” he added. — DayakDaily