Call for a review of country's child protection system

KUALA LUMPUR: A child rights body has asked the government to review the country's child protection system against the backdrop of recent reports on child marriage cases.
Child Rights Coalition Malaysia (CRCM), in a statement today, said it was "very disturbed" by incidents of older men marrying young girls.
''We find this situation unacceptable and implore the government to urgently step in and take concrete action towards raising the age of marriage to 18 years and do a thorough review of the child protection system in Malaysia," it said.
CRCM said child marriage was not in the best interest of a child as, in such cases, the focus would shift from education to domestic duties and parenthood.
"Child brides often become victims of domestic violence and sexually transmitted diseases, and have a tendency to not pursue higher education, hence limiting their future prospects," it said.
It said in many cases, the child brides would not enjoy optimal mental or physical health, frequently unable to connect with those their own age and would become financially dependent on the husband, hence, restricting their independence.
CRCM comprises, among others, the National Early Childhood Intervention Council, Women's Aid Organisation, Protect and Save the Children Association and Yayasan Generasi Gemilang. — Bernama