KUCHING: Sarawak saw a 38.09 per cent dip in the percentage of teen pregnancy rate between 2016 and 2022.
The Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah noted that in the six-year period, the number has dropped from 2,481 cases to 1,536 cases.
She asserted that in 2016, statistics showed that Sarawak has the highest rate compared to other states in Malaysia.
To address such an issue, she said her ministry has established a one-stop committee, with the goal of lowering the teen pregnancy rate and lowering the number of cases of baby abandonment.
“In light of the 2016 figures on teen pregnancies, an interagency group has been established to examine the broader issue of teenagers.
“The range of activity encompasses both the delivering of lectures and the assistance we may offer to young women who are pregnant.
“We must move on from what has happened. They require our assistance. We also need to pay attention in terms of welfare,” she said when officiating at the closing ceremony of ladies talk programme, ‘Wanita Dambaan Syurga’ at Islamic Information Centre yesterday (Feb 24).
Meanwhile, based on ethnicity, Fatimah said 49.3 per cent of teenage pregnancy cases recorded are from Iban; 21.4 per cent Malay; 7.3 per cent Chinese; and 7.2 per cent Bidayuh.
According to data, Kuching had the highest number of teenage pregnancies in Sarawak in 2022, with 343 cases, followed by Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, and Kapit, which had 235, 192, 183 and 110 cases, respectively.
As such, she urged women to work together to address the social issues that contribute to these concerns as members of the community.
“Every effort we make can contribute to lowering the statistics. We can also avoid contributing to the increase in cases,” she said.
For the record, the talk programme was organised by the Department of Islamic Development Sarawak branch in collaboration with the Islamic Information Centre.
