Kota Kinabalu: Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Maria Chong, said the responsibility of preventing child marriage should not rest solely on government agencies but requires the collective social responsibility of community leaders, parents and educators.
“Tackling child marriage cannot be left to government agencies alone,” she said, adding that child marriage is a highly complex social challenge that requires serious attention from all parties.
“It is not merely a legal or cultural issue, but touches the very foundation of societal wellbeing, including education, health, economics and human capital development,”Maria said when officiating the Child Marriage Awareness Programme, organised by the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department, at Wisma Wanita, here.
Her speech was delivered by the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Alijah Ismail.
Maria said community leaders need to be the voice of awareness at the grassroots level, teachers must instil life values and understanding about rights and self-potential.
“Parents, meanwhile, need to understand that marriage is not a solution to economic or social pressures, but can sometimes become the source of a new cycle of problems,” she said.
She noted the programme shows the tangible synergy between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, higher education institutions and the media in creating social change.
“No single entity can tackle this issue alone. True strength comes when all sectors unite, combining expertise, resources and advocacy efforts.
“The Ministry deeply appreciates these collaborative efforts, as it is through such cooperation that we can build a more just, inclusive and humane social ecosystem, especially for Sabah’s children who are the inheritors of the State’s future,” she added.
The programme was attended by some 350 participants comprising NGO representatives, higher education students and government and private sector agencies.
Also present were Jhewa Director Haslina Ismail and State Education Department Student Development Sector Assistant Director, Halim Idin, among others.
