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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
31-07-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Sabah's fertility rate drops below national replacement level
Published on: Thursday, July 31, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 31, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. - Getty Images KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's fertility rate has fallen to 1.5 children per woman, which is below the national replacement level. Assistant Community Development and People's Well-being Minister Datuk Flovia Ng said the trend, coupled with early marriages and unplanned teenage pregnancies, continues to affect family stability, especially in rural areas. She shared the observation during the State Population Seminar 2025 held in conjunction with World Population Day at the Federal Government Administration Complex on Thursday. Flovia noted that more than 1,000 individuals have participated in awareness programmes since 2023 aimed at reducing early marriages. She urged greater inter-agency collaboration to strengthen family support and ensure Sabah's demographic future remains stable and inclusive. * 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
