KUALA LUMPUR: The government will introduce a Reproductive and Social Health Education programme for children as young as preschoolers in an effort to combat sexual crimes against children and underage marriages.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said this was just one of the government’s efforts.
She said the programme needed to be implemented as it was a crucial one, considering that prevention begins with awareness and education.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, said the module for the programme has existed since 1989 but needed to be reviewed and strengthened.
“Today, I chaired the first meeting of the National Social Council since the change in government and it was attended by all the important shareholders. Among the main focuses of the meeting this time was the implementation of the Reproductive and Social Health Education programme.
“Through such meetings, we want to get an assessment of the effectiveness of such a programme,” she said at the lobby of Parliament after the meeting.
Also present was Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.
“When we conducted the programme earlier, it did not give the proper definition of social and reproductive health. We want to teach out children from as young as preschoolers.
“We want to give them more detailed knowledge of what happens with your reproductive system, what sort of diseases or such which can occur,” said Dr Wan Azizah.
On future meetings, she said the council would also discuss such issues as gangsterism, bullying, drug abuse and other social problems, especially in people’s housing projects.
“We will also discuss issues such as children who are denied access to education and the transformation of the field of Technical and Vocational Training (TVET), as well as teens getting pregnant outside of wedlock.
“As such, I welcome the involvement of members of parliament, academicians and non-governmental organisations in working with us and giving us proposals on how we can solve the nation’s social problems.”