Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) in a group photo with other dignitaries at the Unicef regional social policy conference in Kuching.
KUCHING: Sarawak is working with Unicef on child-sensitive initiatives as part of ITS efforts to enhance its social protection framework, says Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said the project aims to integrate social assistance for children with early childhood interventions and parenting education, reflecting the state's commitment towards improving social protection and nutritional outcomes for children in Sarawak.
"Unicef reports that for every dollar invested in early childhood development, there is a return of up to US$12 (RM52) in economic benefits.
"This is a compelling argument for why we must prioritise our investment in children," he said in a speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah at the Unicef regional social policy conference here on Tuesday (Oct 22).
Abang Johari said Sarawak's social protection initiatives focused on improving access to education and healthcare so that no child was left behind.
He said the state government introduced post-natal allowances for mothers in 2020, as well as an endowment fund to improve the financial well-being of children.
The post-natal allowance of RM450 is provided to mothers upon giving birth, while the endowment fund provides RM1,000 in trust savings for every newborn Sarawakian child which can only be withdrawn at age 18.
Abang Johari added that Sarawak was committed to ensuring that its policies were inclusive and sensitive to the needs of poor and marginalised groups, including rural communities, refugees and children in urban slums.
He said the state government engaged with community leaders to understand the challenges of their communities and develop suitable solutions.
"By working together, we can create a more equitable society where every child can thrive," he said.
Organised by Unicef and University Malaya's Social Well-being Research Centre, the conference was attended by delegates from 14 countries across East Asia and the Pacific to discuss strategies for increasing investments in children and developing child-friendly, inclusive social protection systems.
