MUKAH: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen the child welfare agenda by ensuring that aspects of their welfare, protection, participation and development are given attention in the planning and implementation of policies in the state.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the commitment was in line with the aspirations of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which emphasises inclusive development and the well-being of the people as the foundation of Sarawak's progress.

She said the effort was also strengthened through strategic collaboration with UNICEF Malaysia to strengthen policies, systems and programmes related to children's rights based on best practices at the international level.

“This collaboration also ensures that children’s voices are heard and their best interests continue to be at the core of community policies, programmes and initiatives in Sarawak.

“Children not only need to be protected, but also given the space to voice their views,” she said.

She said this when speaking at the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNICEF Malaysia and the Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) for the implementation of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), here, on Wednesday.

According to her, the participation of MDDM in the collaboration marks a pivotal development in the effort to expand the child-friendly approach to rural areas through the implementation of the CFCI.

The Dalat Assemblywoman said the initiative complements the implementation of the CFCI introduced in urban areas, thus ensuring that the child-friendly development agenda also benefits communities in small towns and rural areas.

“Children in rural areas deserve the same opportunities as children in urban centres to grow up in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment,” she explained.

Dato Sri Fatimah said the MoU is poised to act as a catalyst for the implementation of various more structured, integrated and high-impact initiatives for the well-being of children in Sarawak.

The ceremony was also witnessed by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian and Tellian Assemblyman Royston Valentine.

Also present were Mukah Division Resident Rahman Bujang Seli, UNICEF representative to Malaysia Robert Gass and MDDM Chairwoman Aini Suhaili. -UKASnews