Heed the call: Sheema said the passing of the Social Work Profession Bill is essential. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: With data and evidence pointing to children in institutions having heightened risk of harm, crucial steps and laws are needed to prevent them from entering such care homes and help keep families together, says a United Nations expert.
Global data has shown that 80% to 90% of children in institutional care are not orphans but have at least one living parent, according to Unicef.
As such, a crucial aspect of care reforms lies in strengthening the child protection system, said Unicef child protection director Sheema Sen Gupta.
To achieve this, she said the passing of the Social Work Profession Bill is essential – yet it has been delayed for 14 years.
“The Bill, if passed, will provide the legal framework needed to establish a professional body of qualified, trained and competent social workers.
“It’s important because social workers support vulnerable children and their families in addressing the complex needs of at-risk children and families by ensuring appropriate social protection and essential services are in place to meet the needs of these families.“Their work keeps families together and prevents children from entering institutional care in the first place,” she said as Unicef celebrates 70 years of partnership in Malaysia.
Sheema noted that the Bill is pertinent, especially in light of recent cases involving hundreds of children that have been abused.
“In many countries, comprehensive child protection reforms have been triggered by harrowing cases like the one we are witnessing today. This crisis presents an opportunity to be forwardlooking and use it as a catalyst for meaningful change.
“We are ready to support the government in comprehensive reform of the care system, to ensure fewer children end up in institutions and those that are in institutional care are monitored and cared for,” she said.
When asked if there was hindrance in getting the Bill passed, Sheema said it probably has to do with priorities within the government structure and that reforms take time.
Nonetheless, she added that Malaysia does have strong legislation to protect children.
“We recently released data showing that 400 million children around the world under the age of five face abuse by parents and caregivers.
“This is unacceptable anywhere and it’s a very high number. Even one case of abuse is unacceptable,” she said.
