The welfare of children and family

Dato' Dr. Hajah Siti Zaharah bt. Haji Sulaiman
The Honorable Minister of National Unity and Social Development, Malaysia

Introduction

With the exception of her lethargic growth years of 1997 and 1998, Malaysia's buoyant economic structural built up of the earlier decade's rapid growth have helped shape the nation to one of highly urbanized and therefore sharing to a certain degree a post modern family formation today. Recognizing the potent social challenges particularly in the form of corrosiveness and eventual erosion of the extended family system both in term of influence and function, the Malaysian government had since in 1990 designed Social Welfare Policy and subsequently the vision 2020 statement aimed at creating a caring society while inculcating the sense of independence and self- reliance among her citizens.

The Social Welfare Policy emphasizes the importance of family in nation building therefore the very need to preserve and integrating family members

so as to be in harmonic existence within itself and in society. The Social Welfare Policy and its designed programs and activities henceforth become the benchmark of social work management and practices particularly dealing with matters affecting family and children in Malaysia.

Retrospectively, "Over 30 years ago, C. Wright Mills (1959) described the post-modern period as one in which the economy would shift employment from heavy industry to non unionized clerical, services , and new industrial sectors. He foresaw the rise of multinational corporations, trouble in the welfare system, and decline in the human freedom and choice. At that time he wondered how the human family would respond to and adjust to this new period in world history". Literatures in social sciences of the nineties further confirmed the predicted scenario when Stacey in 1990 acknowledges "the post modern is characterized by uncertainty, insecurity and doubt".

Based on such possible socio economic scenario the paper will address matters relating to the welfare of family and children in Malaysia.

Welfare Programs and Activities for Family

According to Walker and Crocker (1988), a family system can be defined as any social unit with which an individual is intimately involved and which is governed by 'family rules'. One key concept of the family system is recursive causality, in which family members reciprocally influence each other over time. To a great extent the enhancement of family social health also simultaneously improves multiple dimensions of child development and in line with this, Malaysia places great emphasis on the preservation of the family and its values. Malaysia holds the view that the strengthening of the family institution is vital towards contributing to and producing responsible citizens to face the challenges arising from rapid economic development and in maintaining stability and harmony within the family.

Indeed, the universal concern for poverty eradication, unemployment, and social exclusion has never failed to capture the intellectual and professional interest and imagination among development planners and other related professionals, be they in the government or the non-government sector. Poverty in this stead symbolizes an inequitable distribution of wealth and state of deprivation both in terms of access and opportunity among the poor to productively participate in the mainstream of development. The perpetuating state of poverty in any society will in most cases have negative growth effect on families and children. Malaysia's strong commitment on poverty eradication dated back in her New Economic Policy thrust some three decades ago and since then have been consistently pursued and expanded to involve other target groups who are unemployed, marginalized communities and disadvantaged sector of the population. Such policy of social inclusion involving the disadvantaged and unfortunate groups of the population is in itself an enabler to an enhanced family and children's welfare.

Acknowledging the importance of economic stability as an important factor or ingredient to family development, Malaysia's National Development Policy, focuses on programs aimed at eradicating hardcore or absolute poverty whilst strategically designed through fiscal and other structural initiatives to reduce the incidence of relative poverty. The government's concern has resulted in specific programs providing families in hardcore poverty households opportunities to increase their employability and income, better housing, food supplements for children and educational assistance. As a result of these programs, the proportion of households living below the poverty line income declined from about 52 per cent in 1970 to 17.1 per cent in 1990 and further reduced to 9.6 percent in 1998.

Given the complexity and pace of the current change, several government departments and agencies, the NGOs and private sector are concertedly mobilize to initiate and implement socio-economic programs with the aim of creating a caring society with the interest of families and children being paramount concern. With reference to programs run by the Department of Social Welfare, families caught in the vicious cycle of poverty and facing threats of dissipation are strengthened by not only financial assistance but also through programs with community enhancement initiatives. One such program is the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for disabled persons which provides training facilities and rehabilitative activities for the disabled children, their parents and family members in local setting. Since 1992 to date, some 229 centers have been established nationwide benefiting 5031 children with various forms of disability. The programs are assisted by some 500 paid community workers. Another community-based initiative with strong focus on preventive measures addressing social problems affecting children and families is the implementation of children activity centers. There are presently some 87 such centers nationwide providing educational and recreational facilities to benefit children who are potentially exposed to unhealthy and "high- risk" social environment. The centers are managed by the Child Protection Team which is a legal creation and requirement of the Children Protection Act of 1991.

Malaysia's commitment at improving the quality of life among the disabled persons has been assured through the signing of the Proclamation on Full Participation and Equality of People with disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region on 16th May 1994.The proclamation outlined twelve areas of objective concerns which would ensure that disabled persons in the country are given participative and equal opportunities in areas pertaining to National Coordinating Committee, Legislation, Public Awareness, Accessibility and Communication, Education, Training and Employment, Prevention and Causes of Disability, Community-based Rehabilitation, Health and Social Development, Assistive Devices, Self Help Organizations, and Regional Cooperation. To comply with those outlined areas of concern the National Advisory And Consultative Committee was established in 1998 and the National Plan of Action for the disabled persons is being drawn and monitored accordingly.

Another important component of the family is the older person. For those with no immediate family member to care for them, the government provides financial support and alternatively also provides residential homes for those who need permanent protection and shelter. Tax deduction is being provided for medical expenses of aged parents. The well being of the older persons has been further enhanced through the implementation of the National Policy for the Elderly and its National Plan of Action aimed at creating a society that cares for aged population. The national Plan of Action for the Older Persons identified programs and activities involving multi-sectoral initiatives with the aim promoting access and facilities for the older persons in the areas of health, housing, transportation, employment and other related areas to enable older persons an independent, dignified and quality living condition.

Relating to matters involving the role of women in development which in itself a major concern when dealing with the welfare of family and children, the National Policy On Women was adopted in 1989. Malaysia has also acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Woman (CEDAW) in 1995. The National Policy for Women has been responsible to the advancement of women in Malaysia and accordingly programs and activities affecting and involving women in the country have had its positive effect in safeguarding their welfare as well as children in the country.

The National Population Policy with strong family development focus aims at increasing awareness, knowledge and practice of a healthy, stable and harmonious family life thereby creating a quality population through strengthening of the family institution. Towards this aim, six guiding principles were drawn for the National Family Action Plan based on the internationally proposed Guiding Principles for the Global Blueprint for Action on Families. The six guiding principles are;

1. Attainment of quality population
   
2. Role of women in development
   
3. Encouragement of family to take care of the elderly
   
4. Educating Malaysian public on the benefits of family development
   
5. Developing programs for the survival, protection and development of children and
   
6. Encouraging family, community and the Government's support to the vulnerable and disadvantaged group.

It is believed that with strong commitment and continued action Malaysian families could withstand the challenges of social issues and problems accompanying the current shaping of post industrial society.

Welfare Programs and activities for Children

Malaysia became a signatory to the World Declaration on Survival , Protection and Development of Children in 1991.Subsequently, the National Action for Children was formulated through the concerted efforts of various government agencies, the Egos and international agencies. Even before acceding to the Convention of the Rights of the Child in 1995, the country had formulated appropriate policies, plans, strategies and programs in relation to the interest of Malaysian Children. Malaysia's Development Plans of the past three decades had successfully designed infra structural support conducive to the spirit of the CRC. Programs relating to the children's survival in terms of health care, better nutrition, education, judicial system and welfare benefiting the children were established since 1957 and reinforced further through the implementation of the Five year Plans with the aim of stimulating economic growth, develop human resources and enhance the quality of life of Malaysians. In The Seventh Malaysia Plan, issues pertaining to children is guided by The National Plan of Action for children formulated in 1991. Steps are being taken to improve the quality of care for children at childcare centres and kindergartens nationwide; educating and empowering children through child-friendly environment and promotion of art and culture as a means of instilling positive values and cultural heritage being a necessary component in child rearing practises. Accordingly, government agencies, the NGOs and the private sector run programs on the basis of total development approach henceforth ensuring a child's well-being and quality living.

With reference to the goals set in the World Summit Goals for Children, Malaysia has achieved its mid decade goal target, particularly in the areas of health, and education. Malaysian children generally have accessed to clean and safe water as well as equity in eduactional opportunities, both in terms of physical accesibility and gender. Presently emphasis is made on the importance of early childhood development and quality care among pre school children.

Vision 2020, which is our guiding policy formulation mechanism clearly states the challenge of establishing a caring society. It is within this framework of policy that non government bodies are given a place and recognized as 'partners in development'. The emphasis is on the whole society working together to help less fortunate members, thereby strengthening them and in the process, strengthening itself, to face life's challenges. It is within this perspective too that the tripartite working arrangement involving the NGOs, the private sector and government are being designed and widely practised in the country presently.

The Department of Social Welfare provides care and protection for children, not only through rehabilitative programs but also preventive measure. Several legislative acts, namely the Juvenile Courts Act 1947(revised in 1980), Adoption Act 1952, Registration of Adoption Act 1952,Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966, Woman and Girls Protection Act 1973, Child Care Act 1984, Child Protection Act 1991, Care Centre Act 1993 and Domestic Violence Act 1994. These Acts together with their related guidelines and regulations develop programs and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the children's rights in the areas of survival, protection and participation are met. A new law, very much based on the spirit f the CRC, known as the CHILD BILL 2000, when implemented, will provide for new elements, among which are the establishment of Children's Court, interactive workshop and stronger focus on family and community sharing of responsibility.

The rapid development of the country, alongside progress in information technology, has brought along a new lifestyle for the younger generation including exposure to variety of unhealthy pursuits related to drug abuses and sexism. The Department of Social Welfare through the Juvenile Courts Act 1947 and the Women and Girls Protection Act 1973 provides care, protection and rehabilitation for children while non government agencies including religious and services organisations within the community also provide preventive and correctional programs.

Challenges and Conclusion

The social scenario is becoming more complex - globalization, information technology, emerging new social issues, affluence and new lifestyles, individualism to name but a few are inevitable challenges pose to families and children. National commitment in international agenda such as the World Summit Social Development, Convention of the Rights of the Child, Proclamation on the Decades of Disabled Persons signify government's belief and commitment to the well being and safeguarding the interset of the disadvantaged and marginalised quarters of the population- families and children included.

It is therefore important to recognise that social development in Malaysia will continue to form an integral part of the national development planning exercise. It is our ardent belief that through a well designed social development approach coupled with total commitment and acceptance by all sectors, the general population, especially children and families will be effectively reached and their needs served. This would expeditiously help the country meet the challenges ahead, with a balanced perspective of globalization process without losing its local values and a strong familial and societal support. The current blending of a caring culture within the development thrust will in not a distant future eradicate absolute poverty and ensure Malaysian families and children of quality living and strategically equipped to meet the challenges of post modernism.

Ministry of National Unity and Social Development
Malaysia.
October 2000