By Muhammad Rey Hazriell
SHAH ALAM, June 6 — The creative efforts of a youth group that employs art to teach children about personal safety took the spotlight at the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival.
A member of Pocket of Pink, which published a book titled Express to Empower, said the illustrated work carries a message of early childhood sexual education.
Ain Husniza, 21, said: “There are many sexual assault cases that put schoolchildren in danger, and there’s a gap we need to fill to teach them to protect themselves.”
She said the book combines art with comprehensive education about bodily and personal rights.
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Pocket of Pink member Ain Husniza, 21, poses with her group’s publication ‘Express to Empower’, during the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival at Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, on June 4, 2025. — Picture by AMIR IMRAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Express to Empower contains interesting, interactive content to teach readers about sex education and how to defend themselves.
“By providing this education, I hope we can teach kids how to take care of themselves, especially at school,” Ain Husniza added.
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Selangor Public Libraries Corporation director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad surveys the young participants of a colouring contest, during the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival at Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, on June 4, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Ain Husniza said the idea for the book came about when she and her friends realised how many child sexual assault cases have been made light of by irresponsible parties.
“Most (cases) are due to wrongful actions that children are unaware are wrong. Sexual education is not vulgar, but a matter of child safety,” she told Media Selangor.
She expressed hope that the community won’t view early sex education negatively, as it could save lives.
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A young participant of the art contest shows off her work during the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival at Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, on June 4, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Meanwhile, the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival, held on Wednesday, drew over 500 visitors.
The event, organised by the Selangor Sketch Art Association, featured various activities, including a colouring contest and a special slot with a mystic artist.
Selangor Public Library Corporation director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad said the event was held in line with libraries’ mission to teach the younger generation to be more active and creative, and avoid gadget addiction.
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Cartoonist Zunar surveys colouring contest participants during the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival at Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, on June 4, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
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Visitors watch a shadow puppet show during the Selangor Unity Cartoon Festival at Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, on June 4, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
