Child Protection Advocacy: KASIH Kanak-kanak Reaches 566 Schools, Beating Target

KUALA LUMPUR,  Dec 13  (Bernama) -- The Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak, organised by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) since May, has been successfully implemented in 566 schools nationwide, surpassing the initial target by 188 per cent.

In a statement, JKM said the child safety and protection advocacy initiative has also been extended to 47 Child Activity Centres (PAKK), exceeding the original target by 157 per cent.

This achievement highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive protection for every child in the country.

“This programme is part of an effort to engage all segments of society, including parents and local communities, to ensure the welfare, safety, and development of children are fully safeguarded in line with the Child Act 2001,” the statement said.

It aligns with the government’s broader goal to prevent all forms of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation, while ensuring children’s voices are heard, their rights are respected, and their well-being is protected.

In today’s digital age, children are increasingly vulnerable to risks such as online abuse, cyberbullying, and digital exploitation. The programme stresses the need for community collaboration to report such cases via the Kasih Helpline at 15999, WhatsApp at 019-2615 999, or the Kasih Helpline mobile app for prompt action.

The programme, run by JKM, has earned recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records as the ‘Largest Child Protection Advocacy Programme’, with the participation of 128,148 children nationwide.

The programme concluded today in the Manjung district, Perak, marking the end of the nationwide advocacy series.

JKM also expressed its deepest appreciation to the strategic partners who supported this programme, including the police, the Manjung District Education and Health Offices, the Manjung Municipal Council, Jalinan Ihsan Warga Astar (JIWA) of Universiti Malaya, and the Manjung District Child Protection Team (PPKK).

“This close cooperation has enabled the programme to achieve its main objective of raising public awareness about the importance of child protection and strengthening community networks,” the statement added.

According to Perak JKM, last year alone, 705 cases of children in need of care and protection were recorded. From January to June this year, 415 cases have been documented.

 -- BERNAMA