By WU VUIDE
MATUNGGONG: Efforts to curb child marriage must continue to be strengthened as the issue not only affects individuals and families, but also compromises human capital development and the future of the state.
Sabah Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki, said that every child has the right to enjoy opportunities to learn, build skills and develop their potential before taking on family responsibilities.
“Child marriage is not merely a matter of numbers or statistics. More importantly, we must ensure that our children have the opportunity to continue their education, build a better future and become human capital capable of contributing to Sabah’s development,” she said.
She said this when officiating the Matunggong District Child Marriage Awareness Programme (MIPA) here.
According to her, children who are given the opportunity to continue their education and develop their skills have the potential to become a more competitive, knowledgeable and capable generation that can contribute across various sectors of the state’s development.
At the same time, efforts to address child marriage also support the women’s empowerment agenda by ensuring that more girls are able to continue their education, build self-confidence and enhance their future opportunities in the fields of economics, leadership and entrepreneurship.
She also stressed that addressing the issue requires the cooperation of all parties, including parents, teachers, community leaders, educational institutions, government agencies and local communities.
“Protecting children and ensuring that they are able to pursue their aspirations and build a brighter future is a shared responsibility. Investing in our children today is an investment in Sabah’s future,” she said.
The MIPA programme is an ongoing initiative by the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (JHEWA), focusing on education and advocacy on the implications of child marriage through components covering basic psychology, legal literacy, as well as personal health and reproductive health education.
Also present was JHEWA Sabah Director, Haslina Ismail.
Julita (centre), officiating the Matunggong Sub-District MIPA programme as Haslina (third left), looks on.
