Nancy: Youth voices must be heard in shaping family futures
'The voices of young people must be heard. What they need is a supportive ecosystem, not just a call to start families immediately,' she said in a statement issued in conjunction with World Population Day 2025.
The ministry said Malaysia is currently facing a population crisis that requires inclusive and progressive policy actions.
The country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.7 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1.
Meanwhile, births in the first quarter of 2025 have also declined by over 11% compared to the same period last year.
'To address these issues, KPWKM and National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) are focusing on comprehensive strategies targeting young couples.
'These include, offering fertility treatment subsidies for 1,300 eligible married couples, improving childcare services, and introducing more flexible parental leave policies.'
KPWKM, through LPPKN and in collaboration with the Statistic Department, University of Malaya, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will host the main celebration event on Monday, July 21, at Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur.
Uniquely, the 2025 celebration will also be extended to the state level throughout July and August with a series of seminars focusing on population and family-related topics.
July 11 marks World Population Day, and this year's theme is:
'Empowering youths to build the families they desire in a just and hopeful world.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
New members appointed to National Council for Persons with Disabilities
PUTRAJAYA: Ten individuals have been appointed as new members of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (MKBOKU) to strengthen policy direction and initiatives for the PwD community. The appointments, effective until June 22, 2027, were announced by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) following the second MKBOKU meeting of 2025. The new members include eight representatives from the PwD community and two from the general public. 'They come from various backgrounds, including NGO committee members, retired civil servants, entrepreneurs, special education teachers, psychiatrists, and occupational therapy lecturers from public universities,' the ministry stated. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Persons with Disabilities Action Plan (PTOKU) and discussed monitoring mechanisms for related programmes. KPWKM also acknowledged the contributions of 10 outgoing members from the 2023–2025 term. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to upholding PwD rights as outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008. 'The mutual understanding between ministries, agencies, and individuals in this meeting is hoped to translate into impactful actions for the PwD community, particularly in education, employment, accessibility, technology, healthcare, and social protection,' the statement added. MKBOKU serves as the highest platform for PwD policy coordination, advising the government on key issues affecting the community. – Bernama
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Barnama
10 Appointed As New Members Of National Council For Persons With Disabilities
PUTRAJAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- Ten individuals have been appointed as new members of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (MKBOKU) to strengthen policy direction and implementation of initiatives related to the persons with disabilities (PwD) community. The appointments, effective today until June 22, 2027, were announced in a statement by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) following the second MKBOKU meeting of 2025, chaired by KPWKM Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, here today. The new line-up comprises eight individuals representing the PwD community and two from the general public. 'They come from various backgrounds, including non-governmental organisation (NGO) committee members, retired civil servants, entrepreneurs, special education teachers, psychiatrists and occupational therapy lecturers from public universities,' the statement said. The meeting also took note of the progress of the Persons with Disabilities Action Plan (PTOKU) and discussed suitable monitoring and reporting mechanisms for various programmes under the action plan. KPWKM said the council also celebrated the 10 outgoing MKBOKU members from the 2023 - 2025 term, as a token of appreciation for their contributions and commitment during their tenure. In the same statement, the ministry stated that the Social Welfare Department remains committed to ensuring that MKBOKU continues to serve as a symbol of the government's dedication to upholding the rights and dignity of the PwD community, as outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008. 'The mutual understanding between ministries, agencies, and individuals in this meeting is hoped to translate into impactful actions for the PwD community, particularly in education, employment, physical accessibility, technology, healthcare and social protection,' the statement added. The MKBOKU meeting is the highest platform for matters related to PwD policy and affairs and plays a strategic role in coordinating and advising the government on key issues involving the PwD community across ministries, departments and agencies.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
New bill in the works to tackle homelessness, begging and urban poverty
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is drafting a bill on homelessness, begging and urban poverty (gelandangan, pengemis dan kemiskinan bandar) to address these issues more effectively and systematically. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the bill would include both rehabilitation and enforcement efforts, so that intervention initiatives to assist the homeless were well-structured and effectively targeted. These measures, she said, aimed to help individuals regain independence and lead better, more meaningful lives. The ministry also plans to amend the Destitute Persons Act 1977, following a comprehensive review. "The ministry has completed a review of the act, aimed at identifying outdated or irrelevant provisions that require amendments to better address issues related to homelessness, begging, and urban poverty. "The ministry is studying the findings in detail to ensure a more holistic framework that provides protection and support in all aspects from enforcement, rehabilitation and social integration," she said in reply to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin). Isam, in his supplementary question, had inquired about the findings of the comprehensive review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977 conducted by the ministry. Nancy also said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, had taken in close to 8,000 destitute persons between 2021 and May this year. She said 1,528 destitute persons had been taken in in 2021, followed by 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023 and 1,987 in 2024. "This year, up to May, we have taken in 987 destitute persons." She said out of the 8,000 destitute persons, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number with 1,742 taken in, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). "Based on age breakdowns, 515 destitute persons were under 18 years old, 5,068 were aged 18 to 59, and 2,018 were 60 years and above. The ages of the remainder were unconfirmed." She said under Subsection 3(1) of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, the welfare officers were empowered to take destitute persons into custody within 24 hours before bringing them before a magistrate. She added that the Social Welfare Department conducted such initiatives on an ad hoc basis in response to complaints, as well as through scheduled or periodic operations, either independently or jointly with other enforcement agencies such as the Health Ministry, the Immigration Department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and local authorities.
