Malaysian social workers are heroes in the shadows whose vocation remains unrecognised

Social workers help vulnerable families and children in Malaysia, protecting them and empowering them to achieve their full potential. Photo: Freepik

For vulnerable families and children in Malaysia who are surrounded by issues such as poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness, social workers play a major role in their day-to-day lives, protecting them and helping them achieve their potential.

Unfortunately, Malaysia still lags behind other South-East Asian countries in recognising social work as a profession, says Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) president Dr Teoh Ai Hua.