Malaysia Hosts 9th ASEAN Child Forum: Strengthen Fight Against Violence On Children | KiddyNews

Regional Gathering Highlights Child Protection as a Shared ASEAN Priority

Malaysia is hosting the 9th ASEAN Child Forum for the first time, bringing together young representatives from across Southeast Asia to discuss ways to protect children from violence better and strengthen their participation in policymaking.

Opening the two-day forum on Aug 4, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said ASEAN’s future depends not only on economic development but also on how well the region safeguards its children today.

Children Make Up Nearly One-Third of ASEAN’s Population

Quoting UNICEF data, Nancy said children account for around 30% of ASEAN’s population, while the wider Asia-Pacific region is home to 1.12 billion children, the largest child population of any region in the world.

She said these figures highlight the importance of investing in children’s safety, wellbeing and development.

‘Say No to Violence’ Theme Calls for Collective Action

This year’s forum carries the theme “Shielding ASEAN Childhood: Say No to Violence,” reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring every child grows up in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

Nancy said the theme also aligns with ASEAN’s efforts to finalise the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children (2026–2035), which is expected to be endorsed at the 49th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.

Children’s Voices Included in Policymaking

Nancy stressed that children’s participation should be meaningful rather than symbolic, adding that their views should help shape policies that affect their lives.

Held from Aug 4 to 5, the forum brings together child representatives aged 12 to 17 from ASEAN member states, together with facilitators, to develop recommendations on strengthening child protection across the region.

Building a Safer Future for Every Child

While the forum focuses on older children, its discussions reinforce the importance of protecting children from the earliest years of life.

For families, educators and policymakers, creating safe, nurturing environments remains a shared responsibility, one that supports children’s wellbeing, learning and healthy development throughout childhood.

Source:

The Star – “Malaysia hosts 9th Asean Child Forum: Calls for action against child violence”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.