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Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Early marriage among pressing issues
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Flovia said early marriage continues to be one of Sabah's most pressing social issues. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government remains committed to addressing early and child marriage through a series of proactive, community-based programmes aimed at protecting the future of youth, particularly in rural areas. Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being (KPMKR) Datuk Flovia Ng, said that despite ongoing challenges, the Government has been actively implementing outreach and awareness initiatives since 2023, targeting vulnerable communities across the State. Speaking at the Sabah State Population Seminar 2025, held at the Federal Government Administration Complex Auditorium here in conjunction with World Population Day. Flovia said early marriage continues to be one of Sabah's most pressing social issues. 'This is no longer a distant issue. These demographic challenges are real, and they are happening now. We must respond collectively and urgently,' she said. Among the key government-led initiatives is the Child Marriage Issue Programme (Mipa), organised by the Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa), which has reached over 1,000 participants across Tongod, Tenom, Nabawan, Ranau, Telupid and Kota Belud. 'These programmes educate children, families and the wider community about the dangers of child marriage, promote reproductive health awareness, and strengthen family resilience,' she said. Flovia noted that poverty, lack of education, and cultural pressures remain major contributing factors, and tackling them requires a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach. She also highlighted that Sabah's fertility rate has declined to 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, raising red flags about population balance and the long-term implications of an ageing society. 'To address this, we need robust social systems that support not only youth development but also elder care, including age-friendly healthcare and sustainable family structures,' she said. Flovia called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, engagement with civil society and more inclusive policies that empower youth with the knowledge and tools to make informed life decisions. 'The government cannot act alone. Success depends on cooperation with NGOs, educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders,' she said. Themed 'Early Marriage Trends in Sabah – Its Impact on Marriage Institutions', the seminar aimed to spark cross-sector dialogue and provide meaningful policy input to address Sabah's evolving demographic realities. Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary of the KPMKR Henry Idol, heads of federal and state departments and students from various educational institutions. Flovia expressed hope that the seminar would help shape long-term, inclusive policies focused on children, youth and family well-being as the foundation of a resilient and balanced population. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Dip in Sabah's fertility rate raises alarm
Published on: Saturday, August 02, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 02, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Flovia poses for a group photo with invited guests and participants of the seminar. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's fertility rate has declined to 1.5 children per woman, far below the national replacement level of 2.1, raising alarm over the State's demographic sustainability and its long-term social and economic implications. State Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being, Datuk Flovia Ng, said early marriage and unplanned teenage pregnancies continue to disrupt family structures and impact the potential of the younger generation, especially in rural and underserved areas. She said these trends, if left unchecked, would contribute to a cycle of poverty, educational dropout and emotional distress, affecting not only individuals but society as a whole. 'These are no longer future issues. They are present realities that require urgent and coordinated action,' she said when officiating the Sabah State Population Seminar 2025 at the Federal Government Administration Complex Auditorium, here. The seminar, organised in conjunction with World Population Day, themed Early Marriage Trends in Sabah – Its Impact on Marriage Institutions, aimed at addressing growing concerns over demographic shifts and their social effects. Flovia said the State Government, through the Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa), has been conducting targeted awareness and education programmes to address the issue of early marriage since 2023. Among them is the Child Marriage Issue Programme (Mipa), which has reached more than 1,000 participants across several districts, including Tongod, Tenom, Nabawan, Ranau, Telupid and Kota Belud. 'These programmes are designed to raise awareness among children, families and communities on the risks and long-term consequences of child marriage, while promoting access to reproductive health education and family resilience,' she said. Flovia also emphasised that the widening gap between urban and rural communities, pointing out that many families in the interior continue to face limited access to basic amenities, healthcare, stable employment and quality education. She warned that the combination of a shrinking young population and an increasingly ageing society poses a major challenge for future policy-making in areas such as healthcare, social welfare and workforce readiness. Despite these challenges, she said the increase in life expectancy is a positive development. 'But it must be supported by systems that cater to senior citizens' wellbeing, including age-friendly healthcare and sustainable family support structures,' she said. She also emphasised that the seminar serves as a timely platform for data-driven discussion and policy recommendations involving key stakeholders, including youths, educators, healthcare professionals and local leaders. Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Henry Idol, heads of Federal and State departments and other students from various educational institutions. Flovia expressed hope that the forum and seminar would spark meaningful dialogue and result in more effective policies to support families and respond to Sabah's evolving population trends. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
