KUALA LUMPUR: The number of child marriages in the country has seen a decline over the past four years, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the total number of marriages involving individuals under 18 had dropped from 1,467 in 2019 to 1,035 in 2022.
"In 2020, there were 1,354 marriages under 18, and 1,151 in 2021.
"Child marriage was one of the things that was raised in United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw).
"We were asked what we are doing about it, and we noted that we would have to work with other ministries and agencies, including the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Health Ministry, and the Attorney-General's Chambers."
She said this after the "Building a Caring Society by Designing Joy" book launch and the Kelantan Foundation for the Disabled (YOKUK) 25th Anniversary Celebration here, today.
She added that among measures introduced to curb underage marriages included the Education Ministry's rule to make it compulsory for children to complete secondary school.
"On our part, we are also conducting the 'Smart Start' programme through the National Population and Family Development Board to educate those who have marriage plans on the possibilities and challenges.
"We also have counsellors to assist children in school and for them to share their problems with," she added.
Malaysia presented its sixth periodic report on the implementation of the Cedaw on May 22, at its 88th Session in Geneva, Switzerland.
The delegation was headed by Nancy, and she was the first cabinet minister to lead the country's delegation to the constructive dialogue session to address arising questions and defend the country's report to the Cedaw Committee.
Malaysia joined the convention on July 5, 1995. It emphasises efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in the political, economic, social and cultural fields.
