Supporting teens: Nancy says her ministry would soon introduce the National Family Policy and National Family Action Plan to reinforce family institutions and enhance social stability, with a focus on empowering family planning through stronger parental and youth roles. — Bernama
A TOTAL of 41,842 girls aged 19 and below were found pregnant at government health facilities between 2020 and 2024, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the figure covered both married and unmarried teens, based on data supplied by the Health Ministry.
“From the 41,842 teen pregnancies, about 50% are Malay, 11% Iban, 9% Orang Asli (peninsula), 5% Chinese, 3% Indian, with the remainder made up of various other ethnicities,” she said yesterday.
She was responding to Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar), who asked for the number of out-of-wedlock teen pregnancies by ethnicity and the measures being taken to address the issue.
Nancy said 16,951 of these cases involved unmarried girls, but the Health Ministry did not provide further breakdowns by ethnicity for this category.
She stressed that addressing out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies required a whole-of-society response.
“All parties must mobilise efforts to curb this issue for the sake of a healthier future generation,” she said.
Nancy said her ministry would soon launch the new National Family Policy and National Family Action Plan to strengthen family institutions and improve social stability, including empowering family planning through stronger parental and youth roles.
She outlined ongoing initiatives under the ministry, including reproductive health education, counselling and community-based support.
Among these is the Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy and Action Plan (Pekerti), aimed at raising awareness on reproductive health and promoting responsible, resilient behaviour among young people.
Under the Pekerti framework, she said reproductive health skills would be strengthened through both formal school education and non-formal programmes.
These efforts are coordinated across ministries through the National Social Council, with measures such as embedding Pekerti programmes in higher education institutions, expanding Pekerti at the community level, and increasing advocacy on reproductive and social health.
Nancy also highlighted support services provided by the National Population and Family Development Board, including KafeTEEN centres, the KafeTEEN truck and school-based programmes.
“KafeTEEN offers guidance and education to help shape teens who are positive physically, mentally and socially,” she said, adding that the initiative currently spans 18 centres, one mobile truck and community outreach activities offering reproductive health clinics and psychosocial counselling.
Peer educator training under Kelab KafeTEEN has also been expanded to 143 secondary schools in collaboration with the Education Ministry.
