Pocket of Pink (POP), an NGO led by nine young people, is working to shift this perception through a 20-page cartoon-based module titled “Express to Empower: Bodies, Boundaries, and Identity”.
Graphic designer and project leader Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, 20, said the cheerful colours and easy-to-understand illustrations in the book provide children with a basic understanding of personal safety, their rights, and the dangers of sexual abuse.
The student of International Politics at the University of Nottingham believes sexual education is essential to foster knowledge of self-autonomy and protection against exploitation.
“Many children don’t actually know what sexual harassment is or what constitutes sexual misconduct. This is a frightening reality. They are unaware of the dangers around them and don’t know how to speak up if they find themselves in uncomfortable situations,” she told Bernama.
“Children need to clearly understand their own body so they can recognise if something inappropriate happens,” she said, adding that she is also working to publish a Malay-language edition of the book.
One of the main concepts in the module is the “Good Crowd”, which educates children on how to build healthy relationships and ensures comprehensive education.
On the use of cartoons in the module, Ain Husniza said this approach was deemed most suitable for the targeted age group, as cartoons are a powerful medium through which difficult messages can be conveyed.
Developed from September and introduced to the public at a cartoon festival in KL recently, the English module uses simple language and includes activities like crossword puzzles to make learning both engaging and enjoyable.
In the near future, POP aims to introduce more books in the same series, focusing on aspects such as safe touch, safety at school, and bullying. They also hope to hold a tour programme to allow more children and parents to access the book.
“Threats like paedophilia and child exploitation are increasingly real. Sex education should be seen as the first line of defence for our children. The younger they learn, the better prepared they will be to protect themselves,” Ain Husniza stressed.
“For now, this book is sold at RM25 per copy, but we hope that with support from various parties and relevant ministries, this module can eventually be distributed for free,” she concluded.