Latest news with #NorainiAhmad
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Young delay starting families as rising costs bite
Deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young people build their families. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The pressure of the rising cost of living is mainly why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, says deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad. She cited a report by the United Nations Population Fund, which said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 'Of this group, 39% cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies: to listen, understand, and act,' Bernama reported her as saying at the 2025 World Population Day celebration today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment. These include providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, and awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. On Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing a fertility treatment aid and infertility advocacy programme, targeting 30,000 couples this year. 'In the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11% compared with the previous year. 'These numbers represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems and public awareness,' she said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rising cost of living delays youth marriages, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The increasing cost of living has become the primary reason many young Malaysians delay marriage and starting families, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She cited a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report stating that nearly one in five adults across 14 countries may not achieve their desired family size due to financial constraints. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said during the 2025 World Population Day celebration. To address the issue, the government has introduced initiatives such as maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, and financial aid for low-income families. Awareness programmes on reproductive and family health are also being conducted. Malaysia's fertility rate has declined to 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. Noraini noted that only 93,500 births were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, an 11 per cent drop compared to the previous year. 'These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. The government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), aiming to assist 30,000 couples by 2025. Additional programmes like PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe\@TEEN are also being expanded to promote family planning and reproductive health. This year's World Population Day celebration has been extended to the state level, engaging over 5,000 participants. The event also featured the launch of UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report, highlighting global fertility challenges and opportunities. – Bernama
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Cost of living main reason youths delay starting families
Nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 21 Jul 2025 08:04pm Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily KUALA LUMPUR - The pressure of the rising cost of living is the main factor why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, even though the desire remains, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. "Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said in her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment, including providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, as well as organising awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. Commenting on Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), targeting 30,000 couples by 2025. "In just the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. In addition, she said family and reproductive health education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe@TEEN are also being implemented on an ongoing basis. "These efforts are part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to start their families in a stable environment, supported by relevant policies and surrounded by hope, not worry,' she added. Meanwhile, Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August. The event also saw the launch of the UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report titled 'The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World', which highlights global challenges and opportunities in the context of fertility, reproductive choices, and intergenerational justice. The launch of the report in Malaysia reflects international recognition of the country's commitment to addressing population issues comprehensively and through evidence-based policies. - BERNAMA
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Cost Of Living Main Reason Youths Delay Starting Families
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The pressure of the rising cost of living is the main factor why many youths choose to delay marriage and start a family, even though the desire remains, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), she said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged that they may not be able to have the number of children they desire. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said in her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today. She said the government has implemented various initiatives to help young couples build families in a more stable and structured environment, including providing maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, as well as organising awareness programmes on reproductive and family health. Commenting on Malaysia's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.7 children per woman, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1, Noraini said the government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), targeting 30,000 couples by 2025. 'In just the first quarter of 2025, only 93,500 births were recorded, a drop of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. In addition, she said family and reproductive health education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe@TEEN are also being implemented on an ongoing basis. 'These efforts are part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to start their families in a stable environment, supported by relevant policies and surrounded by hope, not worry,' she added. Meanwhile, Noraini said this year's World Population Day celebration has been expanded to the state level with various programmes involving more than 5,000 participants throughout July and August.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Tackling domestic violence
PETALING JAYA: In tackling the rise in domestic violence, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has come up with a platform to discuss such issues to better protect victims. These matters will be discussed in the Committee to Address Domestic Violence, which itself comprises three working committees, namely the Domestic Violence Protection Committee, the Advocacy and Capacity Development Committee and the Data Committee. The police are a permanent member of all the committees, it said in a statement. On what victims can do to protect themselves, the ministry advised that if the police open an investigation paper, the victim can make an application to obtain an Interim Protection Order (IPO) in court under the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Act 521). 'If the perpetrator is charged in court, the victim can then make an application to obtain a Protection Order (PO),' the ministry said. It added that the victim can also apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) from an authorised social welfare officer. An EPO is an order that is only valid for seven days and does not require a police report. The victim, however, must make a police report if there is a breach of the order. Apart from the wife or husband, domestic violence victims can include the ex-wife or ex-husband, children, incapacitated adults and other family members. The provisions of Section 326A of the Penal Code (Act 574) indicate that proof of a 'family' relationship is essential for the imposition of a heavier sentence. Sections 323, 324, 325, 326, 334 or 335 of the Penal Code also deal with the offences and punishment that may twice extend the maximum term. The ministry said if violence occurs outside of a marriage, such as cohabitation, romantic relationships and others, it does not come under Act 521. However, agencies under the ministry can assist victims, such as providing counselling and other appropriate services. The perpetrator can still be prosecuted according to the provisions of Act 574. On Wednesday, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said a total of 2,467 cases of domestic violence were recorded nationwide from January to April this year. She said studies showed that housewives were the largest group of domestic violence victims. Those seeking help, or know anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, can contact the police or call Talian Kasih at 15999 or via WhatsApp at 019-251 5999.
