KUCHING: Teen pregnancies in Sarawak have decreased by 10.6% this year, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said 1,324 cases were recorded from January to September.
She said this compares with 1,481 cases in the same period last year.
“Each year we want to see a 10% reduction, meaning our KPI has been achieved,” she said on Wednesday (Nov 19).
She spoke after chairing the One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee meeting.
Fatimah said fewer pregnant teens stopped schooling, dropping from 98.6% to 97.4%.
She said there is a rising trend of unwed pregnant teens, from 63.8% to 70.9%.
“This information is important to reduce teen pregnancies and provide the right support,” she said.
“Our approach is integrated and inter-agency to help.At the end of the day, it is about starting a fresh chapter and living a meaningful life,” added Fatimah.
She said the ministry will continue working with agencies and NGOs to address the issue and
this includes improving the KAPS programme in schools and expanding NGO involvement.
She added that sexual education programmes for parents will be strengthened.
“We will plan activities based on data,” she said.
“It will be evidence based so our actions remain relevant,” added Fatimah
