KOTA KINABALU: Undocumented children and those living in harder to reach places are among those facing some of the greatest barriers to overall wellbeing, United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Malaysia found.
According to its new study conducted with the Sabah Economic Planning Unit, children’s wellbeing comprising various aspects including health, nutrition, safety and protection as well as learning in Sabah are still lacking, with some areas more apparent than others in the state.
The study conducted to determine the Sabah Child Wellbeing Index (SCWI) found that nearly 80% of children have a strong sense of belonging to their school and community.
Nearly one in four children are not fully immunised and fewer than one-third of adolescents aged 15 to 17 meet benchmarks for sexual and reproductive health, including access to information, services and trusted support, the study revealed.
It also showed that less than one in three children meet growth and development thresholds, and many consume limited amounts of fruits and vegetables.
In other aspects, less than 35% of children have sufficient access to digital devices and reliable Internet, which limits their ability to learn and participate online, said Unicef Malaysia.
In addition, children reported that they lack opportunities for inclusive play, feel unable to freely express their opinions, or live in environments that do not meet adequate housing standards.
These are some information gathered from a total of 4,441 children and caregivers across all five administrative divisions of Sabah (West Coast, Interior, Tawau, Sandakan and Kudat), including children from underserved communities like those with disabilities, undocumented or stateless.
Robert Gass, Unicef Representative in Malaysia said every data point is a child growing up in Sabah - a child who may feel supported by family and community, but who may also face challenges in getting nutritious food, reliable internet, feeling safe or having their voices heard.
“These findings remind us that support must be shaped around children's lived realities, with a focus on those facing the greatest barriers," he said.
Furthermore, the findings reveal disparities across districts, he said, adding that deprivations like digital access and nutritious food consumption tend to be higher in hard-to-reach areas such as Kudat, and Tawau, where vaccination gaps are more prominent.
Gass said undocumented and stateless children experience some of the widest gaps in wellbeing, reflecting persistent barriers to accessing essential services including healthcare and education.
These data - https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/reports/sabah-child-wellbeing-index, were gathered in two phases, one from all five divisions (urban and rural, all age groups and genders) and the other from vulnerable children often excluded from surveys.
With this data, the Unicef has proposed investments in health across childhood by expanding immunisation outreach, ensuring disability inclusive services and providing adolescents with age appropriate health and reproductive information.
It also identifies areas where more investment is needed, particularly in ensuring safe homes and communities, access to nutritious food, improving adolescent health, and reliable internet
The study found that children's wellbeing tends to decline as they grow older, particularly during adolescence while children with disabilities, as well as undocumented and stateless children, face some of the greatest barriers to wellbeing.
