PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is ready to start work to set up the Children's Development Department.
Its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri also welcomed Budget 2023 allocations for a special Sexual, Women, and Child Investigations Division (D11) police unit to combat child pornography.
She expressed her gratitude for the support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in considering the ministry's proposal to set up the Children's Development Department.
"With this announcement, the ministry is ready to work closely with central agencies such as the Finance Ministry and the Public Service Department in detailing the department as soon as possible.
"We are also pleased to announce the establishment of a unit specially under the police to combat child pornography.
"We at the ministry are ready to help the police for the safety and well-being of children," said Nancy in a statement on Friday (Feb 24).
She also welcomed initiatives under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to support women who had to stop working after a period of maternity leave to take care of their children.
"We believe the amendment of the Act that will be brought by the Human Resources Ministry will be a catalyst and inject enthusiasm for women and show that being a mother does not prevent them from continuing to succeed in their careers," said Nancy.
Earlier, Anwar announced that a Children's Development Department would be established under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and put under the purview of the Social Welfare Department.
He also said a special unit under the police would be set up to counter child pornographic activities and cooperate with various agencies to identify those involved.
