16,951 teens recorded pregnant out of wedlock over 4 years – Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 16,951 unmarried teenagers aged 19 and below were recorded as pregnant at government health facilities between 2020 and 2024.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the number was part of the 41,842 pregnancies recorded among teenagers aged 19 and below, covering both married and unmarried adolescents, according to Health Ministry data.

“Of the total, about 50 per cent are Malay, followed by Iban (11 per cent), Peninsular Orang Asli (nine per cent), Chinese (five per cent), Indian (three per cent) and the rest from various other ethnic groups,” she said.

She said this during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, in response to Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (Perikatan Nasional–Parit Buntar), who asked for the breakdown of unmarried pregnant teenagers by ethnicity from 2020 to the present, and the measures to address the issue.

Nancy said the government, through the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM), will be launching a new National Family Policy and National Family Action Plan as part of efforts to empower families for social stability.

“One of the core focuses is to strengthen family planning capabilities by enhancing the roles of parents and teenagers.

“Efforts to curb the issue of out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies must involve all parties for the well-being of our younger generation,” she said.

According to her, the ministry has implemented several initiatives to tackle the issue, including strengthening reproductive health education, counselling and community support.

“One of the initiatives is the development of the Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy and Action Plan (PEKERTI), which aims to raise awareness on the importance of reproductive health education and to cultivate a more responsible and resilient society.

“Under this plan, emphasis is placed on developing reproductive health skills in a positive and safe manner through both formal education in schools and non-formal education outside of school,” Nancy said.

She added that through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), KPWKM provides support services for teenagers via KafeTEEN Teen Centres and the Sahabat KafeTEEN Programme in schools.

“KafeTEEN is an LPPKN initiative that provides a space for guidance and education aimed at nurturing teenagers who are healthy physically, mentally and socially.

“Access to these support services has been expanded through 18 KafeTEEN Teen Centres, one KafeTEEN truck and community-based programmes, offering reproductive health clinic services and psychosocial counselling,” she said.