PETALING JAYA: More public awareness efforts should be carried out to reduce the stigma on contraception use and family planning, urge women’s groups.
This is after the high percentage of unmet family planning in Malaysia, which is a situation where women in their reproductive age don’t want to become pregnant yet are not using contraception.
It involves 26.7% of women within the reproductive age in Malaysia, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum.
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Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Nazreen Nizam said some barriers leading to unmet family planning were limited youth- and woman-friendly services, stigma and misinformation around contraception.
“There is also unconscious bias or judgment and constraints within relationships – where women may have limited negotiating power or face reproductive coercion,” she said.
As such, Nazreen said Malaysia needs a public health approach grounded in rights and dignity, such as by making contraception affordable and accessible nationwide while expanding youth-friendly and confidential services.
“We also need better, consistent, evidence-based sexuality education that equips young people with accurate information and decision-making skills, not fear or shame.
“Laws and policies should support this ecosystem: clear non-discrimination standards in healthcare and stronger safeguards for privacy and confidentiality,” she said.
All Women’s Action Society (Awam) capacity building director Jayamalar Samuel said public awareness efforts must also reduce stigma and equip parents, caregivers, and religious leaders with accurate information.
“Comprehensive sexuality education should also be introduced from an early age, covering health, bodily autonomy, healthy relationships, and reproductive health,” she said.
Such education must be evidence-based, culturally appropriate, inclusive of young people with disabilities, and aligned with international guidelines.
“Teachers and school counsellors should also be properly trained to deliver this education effectively,” she suggested.
