ASEAN Must Put Children At Centre Of Policymaking - Nancy
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- ASEAN must place children at the centre of policymaking and intensify collective efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against children, including growing threats in the digital space, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said every child is entitled to the same fundamental rights, namely the right to protection, dignity, and the opportunity to dream.
“At the heart of these rights lies a fundamental principle, the best interests of the child.
“This principle must guide every policy and decision that affects children’s lives, ensuring that their safety and well-being remain our foremost priority,” she said in her opening speech at the 9th ASEAN Children's Forum (ACF), here today.
Citing the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) data, Nancy said Asia and the Pacific are home to 1.12 billion children, the largest child population of any region in the world.
In ASEAN, the total population of children under 18 in the region is estimated at approximately 200 million, representing roughly 30 per cent of the ASEAN member states’ total population.
“These figures clearly demonstrate that the future of ASEAN rests in the hands of its children,” she said.
Nancy said many children across the region continue to face abuse, neglect and exploitation, while violence has evolved beyond physical harm to include cyberbullying, online exploitation and other forms of digital abuse.
“Today, it also manifests in digital spaces through cyberbullying, online exploitation, and other forms of abuse that undermine children's confidence, dignity, and well-being,” she said.
The minister said that this year’s ACF theme, 'Shielding ASEAN Childhood, Say No to Violence', is more than just a slogan; it is a collective call to action.
“As ASEAN continues to build a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred community, we must ensure that every child is raised in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment where their rights are protected, their voices are heard, and their full potential can flourish.
“In ASEAN, we have proven time and again the power of solidarity. We act as a unified front through the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children.
“We have moved beyond mere reaction. We are actively strengthening our prevention systems, upgrading survivor support, and rewriting policies to place children firmly at the centre of our development agenda,” she added.
Meanwhile, separately during a press conference, Nancy urged parents to exercise greater caution when sharing photographs and personal information about their children on social media, warning that excessive exposure could increase risks of online exploitation.
“As a mother and now a grandmother, I appeal to all parents to prioritise your children's privacy. The more we expose them online, the greater the opportunity for those with harmful intentions to target them,” she said.
She said the ministry would continue conducting awareness programmes for parents while working alongside the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to promote safer online practices.
The two-day forum brings together child representatives from ASEAN member states to discuss issues affecting children and formulate recommendations for policymakers.
-- BERNAMA
