SHAH ALAM: A total of 1,354 cases of out-of-wedlock pregnancies involving teenagers have been reported in Selangor from 2023 to September 2024.
Selangor women's development and social welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari (pic) said according to the Selangor Health Department, 799 cases were reported in 2023 and another 555 in 2024.
"As of Sept 2024, Selangor recorded 555 cases, with 13 cases in the 10-14 age group, 15 to 17 age group (157 cases), and 18 to 19 age group (385 cases)," she said when winding-up the debate on the Supply Bill 2025 in the state assembly on Thursday (Nov 21).
She said to address the issue, a preliminary framework for the Round Table Discussion (RTD) on Tackling Out-of-Wedlock Teenage Pregnancy, set for implementation in the first quarter of next year, has been initiated.
"This will be carried out by Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) in collaboration with the Selangor Social Welfare Department and the Bayt Al-Rahmah Welfare Association to develop comprehensive solutions," she said.
Anfaal emphasised the seriousness of the issue, especially involving children and teenagers under 18 years old. To address this, the state has launched the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, in collaboration with Selangor Social Welfare Department, the Selangor Education Department, the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
The programme, aimed at educating children on safety and protection from sexual harassment, includes 12 sessions: 11 held in schools across all districts and one at the Hicom People's Housing Project Children's Activity Centre. – Bernama
