On this day, 20 years ago, Malaysia acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty.
By acceding to the CRC, the government of Malaysia made a legal commitment to invest in the wellbeing of its children, and 20 years later, we see the results of that investment in society today.
Thanks to the efforts of the government and all stakeholders for children - including civil society, the private sector, and the public - the overall well-being of children in Malaysia has improved tremendously.
Over the last generation in Malaysia, poverty rates have decreased, almost all children have access to education, and significant improvements have been made to the child protection system - including the development of a national policy for children and a national child protection policy, as well as action plans for each.
This year, the Social Workers Bill - which has far-reaching positive impact for the health, safety and protection of children in Malaysia - is expected to be tabled in Parliament.
As we look back over the past 20 years to acknowledge the progress made for children, this is also a time to look forward to see what more can be done, especially for the most marginalised and vulnerable children in the country who are still left behind in terms of education, health, the digital divide and protection.
Some of the areas that require continued attention include efforts to systematically strengthen protection networks for children and young people, include:
- Addressing gender violence and safety;
- The need for, and value of child-focused data to better inform effective policies and programmes for children, especially from marginalised and vulnerable backgrounds;
- A long-term strategy for children in conflict with the law; and
- Greater collaboration across all sectors and stakeholders to ensure that the rights of all children, including children with disabilities, are addressed.
The provisions of the Act are based on the four core principles of the CRC: non-discrimination, best interest of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child.
Currently, the Child Act is being reviewed to address gaps as the country moves towards fully developed nation status by 2020.
Unicef lauds the recent proposal by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to draft amendments to the current legislation.
This move emphasises the role of children in society - not just as members, but also stakeholders - and reflects the Malaysian government’s leadership on issues related to child wellbeing in Malaysia and the Asean region.
As part of its efforts in South-South cooperation, Malaysia is currently the Asean chair for 2015, and will be hosting the third high-level meeting on the Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia-Pacific region, in early 2016.
The CRC has been ratified by 195 countries around the world. Its widespread adoption marked the first time that children were explicitly recognised as having specific and individual rights as members of society.
WIVINA BELMONTE is the Unicef representative to Malaysia.
