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The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Cambodia hosts youth conference on climate change
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Tuesday (June 4) hosted the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2025 on climate change, offering young people an opportunity to help shape documents and share their vision for the kingdom's climate future. Held in Phnom Penh, the conference brought together more than 250 young climate leaders, government officials, policymakers, and development partners. It amplified youth voices in Cambodia's climate agenda and shaped the country's future commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0. Chuop Paris, a secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, said at the event that the government will submit its updated NDC3.0 in July 2025, aiming for greater ambition, acceleration and inclusivity to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. The youth's contributions will be included in the official youth statement to the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reflected in the global youth statement ahead of COP30 in Brazil. "The voices of young people are essential in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for Cambodia," Paris said. "This conference is more than a platform for dialogue, it empowers youth to actively contribute meaningfully to our national climate agenda," he said. "As we work toward updating NDC 3.0, the ideas and energy of young Cambodians will play a central role in crafting inclusive and impactful climate solutions that safeguard our future." According to Cambodia's Children's Climate Risk Index 2024, nearly two million children, more than one-third of the country's youth, live in areas of high or very high climate risk, particularly in rural areas. The effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, increased floods, droughts, and erratic weather patterns, are already impacting education, health, and livelihoods. "The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. With nearly two-thirds of Cambodia's population under the age of 30, youth leadership must be embedded at every level of climate governance," said Anirban Chatterjee, deputy representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to Cambodia. "Children and young people may not have caused the climate crisis, but they are among the first to feel its effects," he said. - Xinhua
Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- General
- Days of Palestine
UNICEF: Israel Kills, Injures 50,000 Children in Gaza During its Genocide
DayofPal– The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued a searing condemnation of the ongoing war in Gaza, decrying the devastating toll it has taken on children. Labeling the human cost as 'unconscionable,' UNICEF reported that 1,309 children have been killed and 3,738 injured since March 18, the day a brief ceasefire collapsed. The agency further noted that, since the onset of the wat in October 2023, more than 50,000 children have been killed or wounded in Gaza. The latest atrocities underscore the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged enclave. On Friday, Israeli airstrikes struck Khan Younis, decimating the Al-Najjar family. According to witnesses and video evidence, burnt and dismembered children were pulled from the rubble. Of ten siblings under the age of 12, only one survived. He remains in critical condition. In a separate incident, a school in Gaza City was engulfed in flames following an Israeli bombing, killing at least 31 people, including 18 children. 'These children – lives that should never be reduced to numbers – are now part of a long, harrowing list of unimaginable horrors,' said UNICEF in a statement that detailed the scale of the crisis. The agency cited a litany of grave violations: the mass killing of children, starvation, forced displacement, and the systematic destruction of Gaza's essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, water systems, and residential buildings. 'How many more dead girls and boys will it take?' the organization asked. 'What level of horror must be livestreamed before the international community acts?' Reiterating its urgent call for an immediate ceasefire, UNICEF demanded the protection of civilians, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, and full humanitarian access to the affected population. 'The children of Gaza need protection,' the statement concluded. 'They need food, water, and medicine. They need a ceasefire. But more than anything, they need immediate, collective action to stop this once and for all.' Shortlink for this post:
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Putting a stop to online child sexual grooming
In recent times, we have witnessed an unsettling surge in cases of child sexual grooming linked to social media platforms. Beneath the glossy facade of influencer culture lies a growing epidemic that preys on children. The Malaysian Mental Health Association believes it is time we recognise this as a national concern. This is not just a digital safety issue; it is a child protection crisis. Social media influencers now wield more power over young minds than teachers or parents. They produce content that is aspirational and intimate. For children and teens, this creates a dangerous illusion of closeness and trust. Just recently, a social media influencer was arrested and remanded for four days to assist in an investigation regarding allegations of sending obscene pictures to a teenage girl. According to Bukit Aman's Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division, over 30% of all child sexual grooming cases received by police involved social media influencers or public figures. Police say offenders often use their online popularity to build trust with victims before allegedly committing indecent acts. Clearly, the very platforms that gave these individuals reach also gave them unfiltered access to their victims. A need for validation Adolescents are neurologically wired for risk-taking and a desire for novelty. The teenage brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex that is responsible for judgement and impulse control, is still in the process of maturation and development throughout adolescence. Social media's dopamine-driven algorithms lead children to crave validation and social connection at any cost. A 2020 United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) report indicates that 91% of Malaysian children aged 13 to 17 use the internet daily, including social media, with 70% having been exposed to disturbing content. Another study by Unicef Malaysia in 2021 showed that 4% of children aged 12 to 17 who use the internet face threats of online sexual exploitation and abuse. Children who feel emotionally neglected, face bullying or are socially isolated are particularly vulnerable. To them, the attention of a popular influencer feels like salvation until it turns into control, manipulation or abuse. Potentially-severe consequences The psychological toll of online grooming is overwhelming. Victims of grooming and online sexual exploitation frequently experience persistent sadness, hopelessness and low self-esteem. These may trigger anxiety and panic disorders. In some instances, children may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterised by intrusive memories, nightmares, dissociation and emotional numbing. Many of these symptoms may be invisible to others, but to the victims, they can be immensely disabling. A tragically-common response when shame outweighs coping resources is self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Many victims never disclose what happened and the grooming never comes to light. Victims are afraid to speak up. The influencer may be a highly influential public figure who is widely adored. Victims fear judgement, disbelief, shame, being blamed for 'leading on' the adult and/or retaliation from the influencer, particularly if the influencer is well-known or admired in the community. The 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) showed that a significant portion of adolescents were affected by mental health concerns. Specifically, one in four adolescents experienced depression symptoms, and 7.9% reported having suicidal thoughts. These findings highlight a concerning trend in adolescent mental health in Malaysia. Though these figures are not all attributable to grooming, online exploitation could be a significant, underreported contributor. Mental health support is also not always accessible. The shortage of clinical psychologists and trauma-informed therapists in Malaysia makes it difficult for survivors to receive timely, appropriate care. While services like Talian Kasih (15999) and Talian HEAL (1-5555) provide some frontline support, there is still a long way to go in making trauma services available, affordable and stigma-free. Legal protection, difficult enforcement Defined as the process of establishing a relationship with a child to sexually exploit them, child grooming is a grave violation of a child's rights and dignity. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) comprehensively addresses this conduct by criminalising various acts associated with grooming, thereby providing a legal framework to prosecute offenders and protect vulnerable children. However, there are gaps in enforcement and digital oversight. Groomers often operate across jurisdictions, and enforcement agencies struggle to keep pace with encrypted chats, disappearing messages or apps with little data retention. Even when complaints are lodged, investigations can take a considerable amount of time, allowing the influencer to continue posting, gather followers and potentially groom more victims. The influencer ecosystem in Malaysia remains largely unregulated. Vetting influencer behaviour, monitoring content aimed at minors, or penalising misconduct seem wanting. Technology companies operating in Malaysia should enhance their response times to promptly address take-down requests or address child safety concerns. What can we do? Malaysia must rise to this challenge with a united front involving parents, schools, platforms, influencers, civil society and the government. Influencers who produce content for, or feature, children must be subject to professional codes of conduct, background checks and platform-specific moderation. Any breach related to child endangerment must result in swift account suspension and legal action. All Malaysian schools should include age-appropriate modules on digital safety, grooming awareness and online boundaries. This is as essential as any other subject taught in our schools. We must invest in child and adolescent mental health services. The government must encourage trauma-informed training for school counsellors and continue to increase the number of clinical psychologists in the public sector. Subsidised care, such as that offered by the Malaysian Mental Health Association (Helpline 03-2780 6803 or email support@ should also be made available to grooming survivors by other non-governmental bodies. The government should increase public awareness of the excellent service offered by Talian Kasih (15999) and the Cyber999 complaint channel provided by CyberSecurity Malaysia. Reporting mechanisms must be child-friendly and confidential, and followed by immediate support. Social media companies operating in Malaysia must be legally required to implement child protection tools, including AI-based grooming detection and proactive removal of grooming content. Hopefully, this is topmost on the agenda of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Influence for good The voice of responsible influencers in Malaysia is crucial. They shape the culture, trends and digital norms of our society. They should utilise their platforms to call out grooming, educate their followers and stand in solidarity with survivors. If influencers feature children in their content, they should also protect them, not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically as well. To the popular influencers out there, we say: 'Your audience includes impressionable young people. 'Influence them toward dignity, respect and empowerment, not harm.' Every child has the right to grow up free from fear and abuse, whether offline or online, and every adult must ensure that right is protected. We can no longer afford to treat grooming as a rare or foreign concept. It is happening here, on Malaysian soil, on Malaysian phones, and often under the guise of 'likes' and 'followers'. There must be accountability for those who exploit their influence. Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj is a consultant psychiatrist and the Malaysian Mental Health Association president. For more information, email starhealth@ The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Dr Yusuf Dadoo shines spotlight on child safety
To ensure çhild safety, Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital's Social Work Department hosted the Child Protection Awareness Campaign recently. • Also read: 260 arrested for crimes committed against women and children According to the project co-ordinator, Madi Mononela, the purpose was to engage caregivers, professionals and community members on the issues regarding child abuse and neglect. The day was also meant to encourage a collective action to safeguard children. There is a sterling need to promote a safe, loving, and supportive environment for the young ones, where they can feel protected, empowered, and free to grow up with good memories that shape their future positively.' As usual, a green ribbon was the order of the day, symbolising an alarm to promote child safety. One of the parents present, Poppy Gone, advised on continuous awareness as it is a great initiative. 'Children are the future generation that needs to be protected from bullies and all manner of attacks at all times,' she said. National Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children according to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). The week is an important event on the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) calendar and has been celebrated in South Africa since 1997. Madi added that the campaign is led by the Department of Social Development in partnership with key government departments and civil society organisations, rendering child protection services. 'The government calls on all South Africans to support Child Protection Week by ensuring that the most vulnerable in our society do not suffer abuse. It is in our hands to stop the cycle of neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children. 'Children in South Africa live in a society with a Constitution that has the highest regard for their rights and the equality and dignity of everyone. Protecting children from violence, exploitation, and abuse is not only a basic value but also an obligation set out in Article 28 of the South African Constitution.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
UNICEF launches video drive to end child marriages
ISLAMABAD: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched a video campaign featuring Unicef's National Ambassador Saba Qamar, to raise awareness about the urgent need to end child marriage in Pakistan. The video calls on communities to speak up against this harmful practice and reinforces UNICEF's commitment to protect the rights of children and empower girls across Pakistan. In the video, the UNICEF's National Ambassador for Child Rights, Saba Qamar, highlights the impact of child marriage on young girls' futures and calls for unified action to protect children. Pakistan has the sixth highest number of child brides globally, with an estimated 19 million girls married before age 18. Nearly half become pregnant before their 18th birthday, posing serious health risks for both mother and child. Only 13 per cent of married girls finish secondary school compared to 44 per cent of unmarried peers, limiting their future opportunities and independence. Why should any child in Pakistan be forced into a marriage and a future they did not choose? With all the risks to their health and education, we cannot allow this to go unchallenged. Last year in Sujawal, Sindh, Saba Qamar said, I witnessed firsthand the impact of child marriage and the difference UNICEF's work is making. 'I met inspiring young champions like AnamNazir, 14, who stopped three marriages in her community,' said Qamar. 'I am proud to lend my voice to this campaign, for all the girls, and sometimes boys too, who suffer behind closed doors because of child marriage.' 'We cannot allow the circumstances a child is born into dictate their entire futures. Child marriage is often fueled by poverty, but it is also deeply rooted in entrenched gender norms and societal expectations,' said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. 'We need legal reforms and enforcement, cultural change, and greater investment in adolescent girls – in their rights, their well-being and their potential. How can Pakistan succeed when half the team is left on the sidelines?' UNICEF welcomes the recent decision by the Islamabad Capital Territory to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, joining Sindh province, and encourages all remaining provinces and territories to seize the momentum and follow suit. The campaign video is part of UNICEF's broader advocacy work in collaboration with UNFPA, UN Women, and government partners. Efforts included raising the legal age of marriage to 18 across all provinces, engaging communities through dialogue with parents, caregivers, and religious leaders and communication campaigns such as BOLO (Speak up) and promoting girl-led activism and youth champions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
