Teenage Pregnancies As An Ongoing Crisis Malaysia Must Encourage Open Conversations

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RECENT statistics revealed by the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri highlight Malaysia’s ongoing crisis of teenage pregnancies.
Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 41,842 girls aged 19 and below were found to be pregnant at government health facilities, with 16,951 involving unmarried girls. These numbers are alarmingly high, and they represent only the cases reported to the authorities. Many more remain unreported and unaccounted for.
With these statistics, Beliawanis MCA reiterates that this issue is fundamentally about comprehensive sex education, supportive societal responses, and stronger community responsibility.
These figures have sparked concern across social media, with Malaysians questioning the broader causes. Are teenagers lacking adequate awareness? Are young girls insufficiently protected?
Education remains one of the clearest solutions. A core driver of teenage pregnancy is the lack of comprehensive reproductive-health education.
Nancy has highlighted initiatives under the ministry, including reproductive health education and counselling through the Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy and Action Plan (PEKERTI).
However, PEKERTI cannot succeed if we do not first confront the stigma that persists in many Malaysian families, where discussions about sex education or teenage pregnancy remain taboo.
Comprehensive education enables youths to recognise unsafe situations, seek help when needed, and communicate openly with trusted adults. However, that help is unreachable if families are not open to having a conversation or remain judgemental.
The focus must begin with adults, who are the first line of support for young people. Wanita MCA has previously noted that unexpected pregnancies often leave teenage mothers afraid and overwhelmed.
This is where community awareness and parental responsibility are crucial. Parents must create an environment of openness long before teenage relationships come into the picture.
They must provide safe spaces for honest conversations and offer realistic solutions without judgment or stigma. Redirecting the discussion toward safety is essential to protect both the mother and the child—whether through access to baby hatches, guidance from extended family, or other forms of responsible support.
Preventing teenage pregnancies also means addressing broader social conditions. Many cases are influenced by socio-economic pressures. Poverty, early school dropouts, and limited employment opportunities can push young people into vulnerable situations.
Ensuring teenagers remain engaged in school, offering skills-development programmes, and providing clear pathways toward future careers can significantly reduce their susceptibility to risk.
Preventing teenage pregnancies requires collective responsibility across government, schools, families, and the wider community.
Strengthening the national curriculum with comprehensive reproductive-health education, paired with open and stigma-free conversations at home, will equip young Malaysians with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.
When support systems are accessible and adults foster a culture of openness and safety, we can better protect our youth and reduce the likelihood of teenage pregnancies, baby dumping as well as be more prepared to provide support when they do occur. 
Ivone Low Yi Wen is the Beliawanis MCA chairperson and MCA deputy information chief.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia

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