KUCHING: Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri wants all ministries to play an important role in addressing social issues, particularly among adolescents.
She said while completely eliminating the issue may not be possible, such efforts can at least reduce and minimise its impact.
“That’s why we need to add more activities that can provide positive elements for adolescents. This is something the government is deeply concerned about,” she said.
She said this in a press conference after officiating at state-level Advocacy Forum on Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEKERTI) Parent’s Edition through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) here Sunday (Nov 10).
As an example, she highlighted the importance of positive programmes like KafeTEEN.
“That’s why there are positive programmes in place. We encourage adolescents to become entrepreneurs.
“During KafeTEEN programmes, they can see other teens running their own programmes, becoming entrepreneurs, DJs, and more.
“They also become peer counsellors, helping each other out. This gives them other ways to entertain themselves or use their time positively,” she said.
Nancy said that a total of 45,493 adolescents in Sarawak have benefited from the KafeTEEN Education and Skills Programme.
“ In Sarawak, 433 adolescents benefited from the Reproductive Health Service Programme from 2022 to 2023.
“Recently, as part of the Ministry’s Kasih Kembara Programme, 118 parents in the Sibu Division participated in the PEKERTI@Community Programme,” she said.
