KUCHING: Sarawak now has seven municipalities that have expressed their interest in implementing the Child-Friendly Cities Initiatives (CFCI).
According to Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Well-Being Development, this comes after the recent participation of Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) in signing a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to implement the CFCI.
MPKS and BDA have joined Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Miri City Council, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Sibu Municipal Council in implementing the CFCI.
“With this development, Sarawak now has the largest number of participating local authorities for CFCI in Malaysia. This will provide greater access to realizing the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and ensure their involvement in local decision-making,” said Fatimah Abdullah in a recent statement.
She further mentioned that UNICEF Malaysia has commissioned and funded a Situational Analysis Survey to assess the readiness of the respective participating local authorities based on the CFCI parameters.
“After the survey is completed, an Action Plan for CFCI will be developed for each local authority to implement and comply with before they can be recognized as a Child-Friendly City. This recognition can be awarded within a period of two to five years.
“The survey has already been completed for the first five municipalities, and the implementation of action plans is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2024. The assessment for CFC compliance will commence in April 2026,” she added.
Fatimah highlighted that the implementation of CFCI will also involve the establishment of a child or youth council comprising individuals aged 18 or younger within the jurisdiction of the participating local authorities.
“This council will ensure that children’s rights are represented, provide valuable insights into children and young people’s concerns, and raise awareness among other children about the work carried out by local authorities that benefit them.
“This is a significant milestone for Sarawak, as we promote the rights of children through their active participation in the children’s council.
The inclusive involvement of young people in local decision-making will transform the landscape of age-friendly and liveable cities across the participating municipalities in Sarawak,” she concluded.
