World Children's Day 2022
Highlights from World Children's Day events in Malaysia.
World Children’s Day on 20 November is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.
From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future. They are standing up for a more equal, inclusive world #ForEveryChild.
This year, children and young people in Malaysia celebrated World Children's Day by engaging in social activities and turning the world blue.
There's only one team when it comes to children's rights #ForEveryChild
#GoBlue
The National Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur and Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor light up in blue in celebration of World Children's Day.
WCD in Johor
On 11 and 20 November, UNICEF Malaysia with partner Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT) celebrated World Children's Day at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor.
The WCD hero video was played on the big screen in the stadium during half-time. JDT encouraged all their fans to dress in blue via social media promotion. Boys of Straits (JDT supporters club) wore blue and waved the giant UNICEF flag ‘for every child, a champion’.
As part of the #KidsTakeover initiative, child announcers Mia Zahra, aged 9, and Mohamad Izzat Hakim, aged 10, took over the mics to introduce the players. Children led the JDT football team and the opposing team from tunnel to field for the line-up while decked out in UNICEF shirts.
There were UNICEF booths with face-painting activity to help fans #GoBlue on the spot. UNICEF Malaysia Youth Advocate, Ismail Izzani, joined the celebrations on 20 November.
WCD in Sabah
There were three WCD events happening in Sabah in collaboration with the Sabah Council of Social Services (MPMS). The three locations - Nabawan, Kota Marudu, and Sandakan - were selected due to their proximity to children from six of the poorest districts in Malaysia: Kota Marudu, Kudat, Pitas, Kota Belud, Nabawan, Beluran.
To ensure inclusion, UNICEF Malaysia engaged sign language interpreters, facilitated the participation of children with disabilities and from marginalized communities, and set up wheelchair accessible portable toilets.
Nabawan
On 23 November, the first WCD event in Sabah was organised at the Nabawan Sports Complex.
Children took part in activities including fun aerobics, field sports, and a football clinic with Sabah Football Association and Special Olympic. There were also a health & nutrition exhibition, health screening, food planting and recycling, cooking demo, colouring contest and a singing competition.
Kota Marudu
The second WCD event in Sabah took place on 26 December at Astaka Padang in Kota Marudu. Almost 400 children joined the celebrations, with many of them traveling from nearby districts such as Kudat, Matunggong, Tandek and Pitas.
The activities included a football clinic with Sabah Football Association, health nutrition talk, cooking class, food planting, colouring activity, and a singing competition.
Sandakan
On 3 December, the final WCD event in Sabah took place at the Rainforest Discovery Centre Sepilok in Sandakan.
Children engaged in activities including a football clinic with Sabah Football Association, food planting and recycling, health and nutrition exhibition, cooking class, and colouring activity. There were also a forest tour, plant learning and bird watching activities. UNICEF Malaysia National Ambassador, Lisa Surihani, joined the celebrations.
