Lisa Surihani is new UNICEF Malaysia ambassador

Actress Lisa Surihani will advocate the rights of children across the country in line with her appointment as the new United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) Malaysia ambassador on Tuesday.

The appointment was announced by UNICEF Malaysia representative Marianne Clark-Hattingh here.

Lisa told reporters at the event that she had always been interested in issues affecting children and young people in Malaysia.

"And being a UNICEF ambassador presents the perfect opportunity for me to get involved on a personal level," she said.

She added that of particular interest to her was the need to address child sexual grooming through social media as she called for comprehensive action from the relevant parties to tackle the issue.

"Back then, our parents would always tell us not to talk to strangers but the challenge now is different in the presence of gadgets and social media platforms," she said.

Clark-Hattingh said Lisa would be involved in promoting and advancing the rights of children in Malaysia and globally through UNICEF's various initiatives and campaigns.

"Her support will encompass efforts towards the elimination of all types of violence and abuse against children, integration of children with disabilities, a safer use of the Internet as well as early childhood education," she added. -- Bernama