KUCHING: The level of knowledge on reproductive health among children and adolescents in the country remains low despite easy access to information through social media.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic) said that continuous efforts, involving cooperation between the government, stakeholders and family members, are needed to address the issue effectively.
"The public also needs to be more open about this issue. We do not want reproductive health programmes or education to be seen as giving teenagers the opportunity to experiment with sex.
"On the contrary, what we are doing is identifying the best materials and approaches to share, thereby raising awareness among parents," she told reporters when met at the Sarawak-level National Reproductive and Social Health Education Advocacy programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Gersik here Saturday (Sept 13).
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 by the Institute of Public Health, reproductive health knowledge among children and adolescents remains low, while the prevalence of sexual behaviour among adolescents rose to 7.6% in 2022 compared with 7.3% in 2017.
More worryingly, the study also found that the age of first sexual intercourse can be as early as 13.
In response, the National Population and Family Development Board has implemented various structured advocacy programmes, including the SRH for Boys module, to educate boys to be more responsible in their sexual behaviour.
Nancy added that apart from reproductive education, her ministry is also strengthening child protection efforts through the Ministry’s Kasih Advocacy programme under the Social Welfare Department, which has been expanded to 30 Children's Activity Centres nationwide.
This year, the programme is expected to be implemented in at least 300 schools, with a particular focus on online safety.
Meanwhile, the Sentuhan Kasih: Khatan Perdana programme was also held at the SK Gersik on Saturday, involving 100 pupils from four primary schools in the surrounding area. – Bernama
