Sarawak to develop five child-friendly cities in collaboration with Unicef, says Fatimah
Fatimah (centre) shares a light moment with the Waipa delegates. – Sarawak Public Communications photo
KUCHING (April 23): Sarawak is making significant strides toward becoming a more inclusive, child-friendly state, with a goal of developing five designated child-friendly cities, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
The state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said the initiative, which is carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund's (Unicef), is already well underway and draws inspiration from the success of Petaling Jaya, the first city in Peninsular Malaysia to be recognised as child friendly.
'We don't want just one or two. We are aiming for five child-friendly cities in Sarawak,' she said during a visit by the Women Parliamentarians of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Waipa) delegation to the Sarawak Women and Family Department at Wisma Wanita here today.
She also said that a children's forum is in the works and is expected to take place before the year ends.
'I have informed the children's council that, God willing, we will organise a children's forum that will gather child-friendly city councils from across the state, as well as representatives from other countries.'
The upcoming forum, she explained, will serve as a platform for children to voice their views and engage in meaningful dialogue in a supportive and inclusive environment.
In her speech, Fatimah also highlighted Sarawak's progress in empowering women to take on roles as community leaders in Sarawak – an achievement that remains uncommon in many Asean countries.
'We started with women who were active in political parties and today, they are appointed as community leaders.
'They have proven themselves to be committed, meticulous and highly dedicated. Congratulations and well done to all,' she said.
The Waipa delegation consisted of women parliamentarians from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Malaysia as the host country.
As part of their visit, the delegation also toured the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSIC), a facility that provides vital support to parents of children with special needs.
Also present were Deputy Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohd Razi Sitam; the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Felicia Tan; and Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, who is also Waipa chairperson. child-friendly cities fatimah abdullah Unicef
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