BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 7 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Children and young people can play a significant role as agents of transformation with the capability to engage in decision-making processes, in accordance with their evolving capacities and gradually increasing autonomy.
This was said by Founder and Executive Director of Project Women Brunei Dr Nur Judy binti Abdullah in a speech at the National Dialogue on Voices of Girl-Children on Ending Sexual Violence at Co.Lab, Kiulap yesterday.
“We need to consider child and youth’s meaningful, safe and appropriate participation a key strategic priority for ensuring sustained child well-being and creating inclusive societies with informed and engaged citizens, particularly in the case of girl children,” she said, adding that “when children and young people learn to communicate opinions, take responsibility and make decision, they develop a sense of belonging, justice, responsibility and solidarity”.
Dr Nur Judy said girl-children belonging to the minority groups in Brunei Darussalam were engaged by Project Women and Girls Development (Project Women Brunei) in a roundtable discussion on sexual violence against girl-children recently.
The participants came up with recommendations on what they could do and what other key stakeholders could do to help end sexual violence against children as well as compiled the outputs of various engagements with indigenous communities of Belait, Tutong and Temburong districts with focus on the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Also collected was a set of recommendations from thematic issues on sexual violence against children at home, in school and on the Internet, which was presented at Saturday’s event.
She said a copy of the recommendations will be formally presented to key stakeholders and policymakers for consideration.
The founder of Project Women Brunei also quoted UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children Marta Santos Pais as saying that “the perspectives of children are unique, and when they can influence discussions about their lives, then the decisions that impact that are better informed and can be more effective in positively promoting their full potential”.
She believes that the set of recommendations symbolises the voices of girl-children, especially those from minority groups, wanting to be heard. Putting a spotlight on them is part of Project Women Brunei’s advocacy for the inclusivity of women and girls, and a firm belief in leaving no one behind. - Borneo Bulletin/Asian News Network
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