Wan Azizah: Reproductive and social health programmes in schools to be enhanced

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is seeking to enhance reproductive and social health programmes in a bid to solve underage marriage and sexual harassment against children.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said such programmes had existed in the education system but are currently being evaluated to see how they could bring about greater awareness.

She added that prevention efforts should start through awareness and education via schools as they are the best medium for such purposes.

"We want to teach our children about child grooming from pre-schools.

"So we will give them knowledge in details in case anything happens involving reproductive health touching on diseases and risks, safe touching and sexual grooming.

"All that must be taught to our children, through curriculum and modules which will be pushed," she told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (Nov 22).

She said this after chairing the first National Social Council (MSN) meeting with 19 government agencies in parliament this year.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said among the papers that had been discussed and agreed upon include MSN's term of reference to strengthen and give a new life to the council and the implementation of reproductive and social health programmes (Pekerti) by the National Population and Family Development Board.

It also includes the implementation of reproductive and health education programme (Peers) in schools as well as the Education Ministry's guidelines to give awareness and education to the public, especially the youth.

The meeting also discussed the preparation manual for disabled groups during natural disasters.

Other matters discussed include the proposal to establish a National Women's Action Council (Majlis Tindakan Wanita Negara) to empower women and to ensure all the programmes to aid women can be implemented more effectively.

The next meeting will discuss the issue of gangsterism, bullying, abuse of drugs and social problems at People's Housing Project (PPR).

She welcomed the participation from any lawmakers from both sides of the divide and non-governmental organisations on these issues.