MUKAH – The Sarawak Government is extending its child-friendly development approach to rural communities, with greater emphasis being placed on children’s welfare, protection, participation and development in state planning.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the approach forms part of Sarawak’s broader commitment to inclusive development and the well-being of its people.
She said the effort was consistent with the aspirations of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which places the well-being of the people at the centre of Sarawak’s development agenda.
According to Fatimah, the state has also been working with UNICEF Malaysia to strengthen policies, systems and programmes concerning children’s rights.
The collaboration aims to support the adoption of practices that are consistent with international standards while ensuring that children’s interests remain an important consideration in community planning.
“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.
Fatimah was speaking at the signing ceremony of a 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.
The agreement marks an effort to bring the child-friendly development approach beyond major urban centres and into smaller towns and rural communities.
Fatimah, who is also the Dalat Assemblywoman, said MDDM’s participation represented an important step in broadening the implementation of the CFCI in Sarawak.
The initiative complements the child-friendly approach already being introduced in urban areas, with the aim of ensuring that children living in rural communities also benefit from policies and programmes designed around their needs.
“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.
She said geographical location should not determine whether children have access to safe, supportive and inclusive environments in which they can develop.
The collaboration between UNICEF Malaysia and MDDM is also expected to provide a framework for more coordinated initiatives involving children’s welfare and community development in the district.
Fatimah said the MoU could serve as a catalyst for the implementation of initiatives that are more structured, integrated and capable of producing a meaningful impact on children’s well-being in Sarawak.
The CFCI approach focuses on creating communities where children’s rights and needs are considered in areas such as development, participation, safety and access to supportive services.
The expansion of the approach to Dalat and Mukah also reflects the state’s intention to include smaller communities in its wider child welfare agenda.
The signing ceremony was 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.
The partnership provides a platform for the district council and relevant stakeholders to work towards incorporating children’s perspectives into local programmes and initiatives.
It also places greater emphasis on ensuring that children in rural areas have opportunities to participate in discussions and initiatives that affect their lives.
The move forms part of Sarawak’s wider efforts to integrate child welfare considerations into community development while supporting its broader objective of achieving inclusive growth across the state.
