Fatimah: Programme to tackle teenage pregnancy introduced

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DONE FOR THE DAY: Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and Datuk Joseph Mauh Ikeh (BN-Tamin) leave the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex yesterday. The DUN sitting will end tomorrow.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Welfare Department together with the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) has introduced a programme called ‘I’m in Control, Sarawak module’ to educate teenagers on sex, reproductive organs and family responsibility.

In her winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday, Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the programme was among the many approaches to tackle teenage pregnancy in the state.

According to 2014 statistics released by Sarawak Health Department, she said Sarawak was ranked second highest in teenage pregnancy with 3,401 cases out of the total national figure of 16,787, which also showed that cases of extramarital teenage pregnancy in the state was 24.2 per cent higher than the national average.

Giving a breakdown, she said most teenage pregnancy cases were recorded in Sarikei (48.3 per cent), followed by Kapit (44.8 per cent), Bintulu (43.6 per cent), Kuching (43.6 per cent), Samarahan (41.2 per cent) and Miri (41 per cent).

“This matter (teenage pregnancy) if not dealt with swiftly can degrade our society, family institution and lead to social ills,” said Fatimah.

She said this prompted the ministry and several other agencies to form a OneStop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC) in August last year to provide support to pregnant teenagers.

Meanwhile, Fatimah revealed that as of last April 17, Wisma Wanita Training Centre (WWTC) had trained a total of 620 married and single mothers on new ways and skills to improve their income.

“This year, a creative sewing course, cooking course and a spa and beauty course were held to benefit a total of 1,440 individuals,” she added.

The WWTC together with the LPPKN, she said, also organised a workshop called ‘MamaCare’ to train women in traditional postnatal healthcare.

“Out of this workshop, a total of 40 participants took part in the course. Nine of them have managed to generate an income of more than RM960 a month,” she added.