Each year, adolescents have 21 million pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries, 50% of which (about 10 million) are unintended.
Some 5.7 million adolescent pregnancies end in abortions, the majority of which occur in unsafe conditions threatening their health and lives.
The percentage of unmarried young Malaysians who had ever engaged in sexual activities increased from 2% in 2004 to 4.8% in 2014.
A national survey in 2017 showed that 7.3% of 13 to 17 years old are sexually active. From this survey, only 12.7% who ever had sex used condom during their last sexual intercourse while 10.3% used other birth control methods.
The 2015 Malaysian youth sexual and reproductive health survey found low levels of knowledge relating to sex and protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In Malaysia, adolescent births reached a peak of 18,000 annually in 2011 to 11,938 in 2018. That's about 33 adolescent births per day. The majority of adolescent pregnancies were unplanned and about 50% may end up as abortions.
Unfortunately, Malaysia does not have any data on abortions and in particular the number of unsafe adolescent abortions.
Adolescent mothers are significantly more likely to suffer complications such as high blood pressure, severe infections and fetal problems.
Baby dumping statistics showed that a baby is dumped in Malaysia on average every three days for the last 15 years. Seven out of 10 of these babies were found dead. In 2020, about 53 babies were dumped between January and June. Most baby dumping cases arise from unintended adolescent pregnancy.
Adolescent pregnancy threatens a girl's health and severely impacts her social and economic status. Her education may end, resulting in vulnerability and dependency. The risk of stigma, discrimination and violence are significant.
In placing adolescents and youths central to all our policies, this consensus statement is developed to provide a national framework in nurturing, protecting and ensuring that each Malaysian adolescent achieve their maximum potential.
Their future must never be compromised by a pregnancy that they are neither physically nor mentally prepared for.
In the spirit of our 63rd year of Merdeka, where we aspire to advance as a developed nation, let us now be in solidarity and move forward in concerted effort to protect and promote the well-being of our current and future generation.
Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM)
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