Malaysia is facing a growing crisis of teenage pregnancy, with the issue sparking widespread concern among social welfare organizations and government officials.
The Malaysian Child Welfare Council (MKKM) president, Raji Karim, has highlighted that many of these teenage mothers are forced to drop out of school and become primary caregivers due to a lack of financial and emotional support from their families.
Karim emphasized the need for education for both teenage mothers and their parents to make informed decisions. "Education is crucial for the child, the parents, and the community as a whole," she said. "We need to increase access to reproductive health services so that young people know where to go for help when they need it."
While counseling services are available, Karim pointed out that there is currently no comprehensive youth development initiative that provides the "multi-factor or multi-agency services" needed by teenage mothers.
On November 10th, Nancy Shukri, the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, revealed that there were 44,263 cases of underage pregnancy in the past five years, with 26,617 of these cases involving legally married adolescents.
Pelajar Bukan Pengantin (PBP), a coalition of NGOs and activists working to end child marriage in Malaysia, has called for the integration of sexual and reproductive health services into education programs. They argue that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development should collaborate with the Ministries of Health, Education, Youth and Sports, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to adequately enhance school programs to provide these services.
PBP further suggested that Malaysia should protect the sexual and reproductive rights of teenage mothers by offering flexible academic schedules, online learning, or part-time programs. "Many teenage mothers struggle to balance childcare and studies, so flexible attendance policies and virtual learning platforms can facilitate educational participation," said PBP. "The establishment of on-site childcare programs in schools or nearby areas that provide affordable or free childcare services would allow teenage mothers to continue their education without the burden of finding safe and reliable childcare."
The coalition asserted that such support should be accompanied by financial assistance such as grants and scholarships for teenage mothers.
PBP also stated that school administrators, teachers, staff, and students should undergo awareness-raising and sensitivity training to understand the challenges faced by teenage mothers and show more empathy. This, they said, would foster a supportive and non-judgmental school environment for teenage mothers, which could be achieved through peer support groups, mentorship programs, and inclusive school activities.
"Policies implemented in schools should also aim to protect the right of teenage mothers to continue their education without the risk of discrimination and stigmatization," they said.
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