UNICEF Malaysia’s Post

The Malaysian government tabled a Bill to amend #citizenship laws in the Federal Constitution on March 25. Granting automatic Malaysian citizenship to children born overseas to Malaysian mothers is a positive step. However, some proposed changes could worsen the issue of #statelessness, like removing the entitlement of Malaysia-born children of permanent residents to Malaysian citizenship. It takes a whole system to protect the childhood and well-being of a child. Without citizenship, stateless children are denied equal access to opportunities such as #education and #healthcare, which all children should enjoy. They may also be more vulnerable to child labor risks. Watch a webinar hosted by Cahaya Society where NGOs share their work on child rights in Malaysia. It's crucial for collaboration among the public and private sectors, NGOs, and an informed public to build a robust social support structure in which children can thrive. https://lnkd.in/gMmR3msU #childrights #childlabor

Today, the report on ‘children without parental care in Africa’ has been launched. The continental study is owned and commissioned by the Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. I’m proud that the SOS Children’s Village provided technical support to the initiative. The study provides a baseline and a starting point in understanding on the stark and distressing circumstances confronting approximately 35 million vulnerable children in Africa who lack parental care. This revelation underscores the urgent need to take concrete actions. To address this grave issue, it is imperative to develop and enforce more resilient normative frameworks that prioritize children's welfare in every nation across Africa. Moreover, African nations must enhance the effectiveness of child protection systems and structures to ensure these children's safety and well-being. Equally significant is the requirement to bolster our investments in national oversight and coordination mechanisms focused on child rights. By doing so, the African nations can create a more secure and nurturing environment for these children who face adversity daily. These actions are not merely advisable; they are morally incumbent upon all governments in the continent. The future of these 35 million children depends on duty bearers’ and various stakeholders’ unwavering commitment to their well-being. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTJaDW9x

🌟 Exciting to witness MY Voice's Child Labor Case Manager Training rollout in Sabah, Malaysia, with Humana Child Aid Society! Approximately 70,737 children are in child labor in Malaysia, with nearly half aged 5 to 11. In Sabah's palm oil plantations and rural areas, child labor cases are prevalent due to factors like undocumented migrant labor and statelessness. Community-based initiatives are crucial in addressing child labor, especially in remote areas where access to external support is limited. Investing in teacher training empowers educators to become central welfare officers for vulnerable children, paving the way for a brighter future. Collaboration is key for establishing an industry-wide social compliance system to prevent and remediate child labor. Parents, communities, governments, employers, palm oil companies, and others - Join us for the official launch of MY Voice's multistakeholder Child Labor Remediation Hub in May 2024! 🙌 👇 👇 #childrights

June 12, 2024 – Today, on the international World Day Against Child Labor, Charoen Pokphand Group expresses our continued commitment to preventing any and all forms of child labor from occurring in our supply chains and beyond. Employing a comprehensive strategy encompassing robust human rights policies and due diligence, engagement with vulnerable communities, and cooperation with civil society organizations, private sector coalitions, and state agencies, C.P. Group remains resolute in our pursuit of a future where every child can freely pursue education and aspire to a brighter tomorrow.   C.P. Group, including our foundations and subsidiaries, have taken substantial steps to prevent all forms of child labor while also providing essential support to improve the livelihoods of families within our value chain. In cooperation with True Corporation and ConnextED Foundation, the Group has proactively worked towards providing quality education for children across Thailand through digitalization and connectivity. We are also supporting neurodiverse children through our collaborative programs with the Autistic Thai Foundation in order to support their unique needs and transform their creativity into art masterpieces through the ARTSTORY project. In addition to this, C.P. Foods, one of our subsidiaries, also supports the Fishermen’s Life Enhancement Center in Songkhla by providing care and educational opportunities for migrant workers’ children.   As a global industry leader, C.P. Group recognizes the pivotal role we play in driving positive changes and establishing benchmarks for ethical business conduct. We are dedicated to working with partners through coalitions, such as the UN Global Compact Network Thailand, to create positive transformations throughout Thailand. Collective actions, dedicated efforts, and cross-sectoral collaborations are key to a future where all children can lead safe and fulfilling lives. 

As an important pillar for children's rights in the UAE, Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood is an independent organisation that collaborates with different entities to promote welfare and support mothers and children.   Learn more about how the organisation safeguards children: https://scmc.gov.ae/en   Established by Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood, Emirati Children's Parliament consists of 40 members aged 10-16 from across the UAE. Established in 2020, this gives Emirati children the right to express themselves freely, aligning with the United Nations Human Rights Convention on the Rights of the Child: ecp.gov.ae

Child Labor in the Markets of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: This is a longstanding issue, with many children seen in the city markets selling goods or assisting shoppers. According to the Kurdistan Children's Protection Organization, there are around 12,000 child laborers on the streets of Sulaymaniyah, comprising 40% Syrian refugees, 30% internally displaced Iraqis, and 30% local and Romani children. The organization monitors these children closely to prevent their exploitation. In 2019, they identified 250 child workers in Sulaymaniyah's markets, most between 6-13 years old and 80% having dropped out of school. The main driver is the economic hardship facing these families, forcing them to have children work instead of attending school. Human Rights Concerns and Solutions This widespread child labor violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Iraq has ratified. Children have a right to be protected from economic exploitation and work that harms their development. The government must take urgent action, including: 1. Stronger enforcement of labor laws to prohibit child employment. 2. Expanding access to free, quality education for all children. 3. Providing social welfare support to vulnerable families to reduce reliance on child labor. 4. Increased collaboration between authorities, NGOs, and international agencies to address the root causes. 5. Public awareness campaigns on the harms of child labor and importance of education. Protecting the rights of these child workers should be a priority for the Kurdistan Region. Comprehensive, rights-based solutions are needed to ensure all children can enjoy a safe and fulfilling childhood.

The MY Voice project launched the Child Rights Action Hub as part of on-going efforts of strengthening systems to help prevent child labour in the palm oil and garment industries.    The Action Hub, the first of its kind in Malaysia, is building a community-based, long-term child labour prevention and remediation system guided by children’s best interests. It facilitates collaborative action, enabling brands, retailers, and local plantations to participate in joint activities and address child labour risks in their palm oil supply chain, including in the most remote areas. It will be supported by a network of local remediation service providers and case managers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gBQqkh5w The MY Voice project seeks to increase worker voice in social compliance systems, increase access to remedy for forced labour and child labour, and help improve communication and coordination between local actors to better identify, remediate, and prevent cases of forced and child labour. The project is led by Social Accountability International and partners Proforest, The Centre for Child Rights and Business and Our Journey. Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Erziehung zu ,Zucht und Ordnung'. Mädchenfürsorge in Deutschland (1871–1970). Hering, Sabine and Kassabova, Anelia The text is an interview by Anelia Kassabova with Sabine Hering, i.R. professor of social pedagogy, gender and welfare history at the University of Siegen. The starting point is the questions about children in homes, with an accent on gender differences and care for girls in Germany from the Kaiserreich to the 1970s. The discussion is based on Hering's analyses of the history of welfare, social pedagogy, women's movements and social democracy. These provide a gender-historical overview of the developments of child and youth welfare in Germany over the broad period. https://lnkd.in/dCcPk8fw

World Day Against Child Labour, 2024 Did you know? Over 152 million children worldwide are still trapped in child labour. Many of these children are deprived of education, safety, and their childhood. Together, we can create a world where every child is free from labour and able to enjoy their childhood. Let’s stand up for social justice and make a lasting impact. #EndChildLabour #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour #ChildRights #SocialJustice #StopChildLabour #TogetherWeCan #Childlabour #labourlaws [World Day Against Child Labour, Child rights, End Child Labour, Stop Child Labour, Labour Laws] International Labour Organization, UNICEF India, UNICEF, Save the Children International

🌏 New Child Care Subsidy Policy Enhances Support for PALM Scheme Families 🌟 This afternoon, the Family Assistance (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme—Child Care Subsidy) Determination 2024 was officially introduced, marking a significant stride towards supporting families under the PALM scheme. Spearheaded by the Minister for Education, this policy aims to provide financial assistance and reduce workforce participation barriers for PALM scheme workers bringing their families to Australia. 👨👩👧👦 The PALM scheme, central to Australia’s engagement with Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, offers a pathway for eligible workers to fill essential roles in Australia while bringing their families along. This newly introduced Determination ensures that these workers and their families can now access the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), facilitating the cost of raising children in Australia and promoting economic integration. 🤝💡 The policy underscores Australia's commitment to human rights, ensuring the right to social security, an adequate standard of living, and equality for PALM scheme participants. This initiative not only addresses the social impacts of long family separations but also strengthens the relationship between Australia and the Pacific region. 🌍💖 Let’s celebrate this progressive step towards inclusivity and support for our Pacific neighbours. #PALMScheme #ChildCareSubsidy #FamilySupport #Inclusivity #AustraliaPacificRelations #EconomicIntegration