Putrajaya: ASEAN must place children at the centre of policymaking and intensify collective efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against children, including growing threats in the digital space, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She stated that every child is entitled to the same fundamental rights, namely the right to protection, dignity, and the opportunity to dream.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy emphasized the importance of prioritizing children's best interests in her opening speech at the 9th ASEAN Children's Forum (ACF). She highlighted UNICEF data indicating that Asia and the Pacific are home to 1.12 billion children, the largest child population of any region globally. Within ASEAN, approximately 200 million children under 18 reside in the region, making up about 30 percent of the total population of ASEAN member states.

Nancy pointed out that many children in the region still face abuse, neglect, and exploitation. She noted that violence against children has expanded beyond physical harm to include cyberbullying, online exploitation, and other forms of digital abuse. This year's ACF theme, "Shielding ASEAN Childhood, Say No to Violence," serves as a collective call to action for the region.

The minister stressed the need for ASEAN to build a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred community, ensuring that every child is raised in a safe and nurturing environment. She highlighted ASEAN's solidarity through the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, which focuses on strengthening prevention systems, upgrading survivor support, and rewriting policies to prioritize children's well-being.

In a press conference, Nancy urged parents to exercise caution when sharing photographs and personal information about their children on social media, warning that excessive exposure could increase the risks of online exploitation. As a mother and grandmother, she appealed to parents to prioritize their children's privacy to prevent harmful targeting.

Nancy also mentioned that the ministry would continue conducting awareness programmes for parents and collaborate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to promote safer online practices. The two-day forum gathers child representatives from ASEAN member states to discuss issues affecting children and formulate recommendations for policymakers.