KUCHING: When there are awareness campaigns on the importance of taking good care of children, especially special needs toddlers and children, the number of negligence cases can be expected to reduce, says Chi Poh Yung.
The Wishesland Kuching president said he fully supported the call for government agencies to work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to conduct more awareness campaigns for parents and guardians on legal actions that could be taken against those neglect their children.
He pointed out that awareness campaigns needed to be carried out the soonest in social media, through elected representatives, and parent-related associations as more and more cases were reported lately.
“The pressures from the workplace, increase of living expenses, and lack of love from family members are among the reasons why these types of negligence are happening,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Wednesday (April 20).
Chi, who is also the Social Welfare Council of Sarawak vice-president, noted that besides awareness campaigns, it would be even more effective if a series of education could be provided to parents or family members on how to take care of children.
“This will allow parents and family members’ competence and capacity to take care of children be enhanced.
“On top of that, a strong support system should be developed so that parents with less or no family members could get support to reduce their stress.
“Some parents are single father or mother and they have no one to help them to take care of their children when they must go out to work or do business.”
Based on previous campaigns, Chi acknowledged that many had been unsuccessful due to reasons such as no sense of ownership from relevant parties, lack of monitoring, follow-up and lack of focus.
“On top of that, there are too many campaigns going on that causes people to be confused.
“In order to ensure a campaign is a success, we need to ensure it is well structured with at least one-year relevant programmes lined up so that the impacts would be greater.
“The campaign can be initiated from the ministry or government level down to the local community level so that all walks of life are aware about it.”
He suggested that a special task force be set up and given the power to implement, monitor and enforce relevant laws so that it was focused and someone would be accountable for its success or failure.
“This task force can consider touching base with individual parents who have problems handling their children due to no family members around or family members who are not cooperative in helping them to take care of their children.
“All relevant parties must come together to ensure the campaign is a great success.
“Schools could play a role too in educating our students to assist parents in taking care of their younger siblings in case their parents are busy or not around.
“I strongly believe that with love, everyone is willing to lend their helping hand to help parents who need help to take care of their children. There are many NGOs out there that they can approach for help.”
