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UNFPA in Malaysia

UNFPA in Malaysia

UNFPA in Malaysia

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was created in 1969, the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared “parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.” 

  • UNFPA works to deliver a world where:
  • Every Pregnancy is Wanted
  • Every Childbirth is Safe 
  • Every Young Person’s Potential is Fulfilled 

Since UNFPA started its work, the world has seen progress: The number and rate of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before.

Since 1973, UNFPA has been working hand in hand with the government of Malaysia to attain the vision and equity that the country aspires towards for her people and national development.  

This substantial and long standing partnership with the Government and people of Malaysia has resulted in the country being the first Asia Pacific counterpart to agree to cost share the UNFPA Programme back in 2003. This cooperation framework has since enabled joint investments in the advisory of key population and development programmes. 

What We Do

To propel Malaysia towards attaining its key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  in under a decade, we aim to work with the government on key policies and programmes that will help bridge social & developmental gaps when it comes to areas of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, healthy ageing, youth empowerment, maternal health, family planning and the uplifting of vulnerable populations.  

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Click on one sections to learn more about it

UNFPA supports the incorporation of population dynamics in policy and programme planning. We conduct population situation analyses for Malaysia that feeds into the country’s population policy review addressing the country’s changing demographics, population ageing and sexual and reproductive health agenda, working in close collaboration with the Population Studies Unit of University of Malaya and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

UNFPA’s advocacy on healthy ageing has led to its inclusion in the 11th Malaysia Plan. Together with the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing™), UNFPA continues to promote policies and community collaboration as a sustainable measure to address the growing ageing issues in Malaysia. 

Since 1973, UNFPA has been closely working with multiple Malaysian Ministries and social organisations to continually boost and enhance Maternal Health Standards with specialised training modules as well as the access and availability of maternal healthcare and essential services, especially for the more vulnerable population.At the same time, UNFPA supports family planning by increasing access to essential information, services and quality healthcare. These include supporting Malaysia’s approach towards family planning via evidence-based policies that take into account gender equality, economic wellbeing, legislation and the availability of essential to support services. 

UNFPA works to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls in collaboration with multiple ministries including the Ministry of Health as well as the National Population and Family Development Board  (LPPKN) and other relevant partners. UNFPA advocates towards equipping young people with sexual and reproductive health education. This entails learning to work within culturally sensitive ways that take into account Malaysia’s Muslim majority population and the sensitivities around reproductive health and rights.

UNFPA continues to work towards bridging gaps between the social consciousness and legislative foundations essential for ending harmful practices and social norms via the creation of  specialized engagement and awareness platforms.

We partner with key Malaysian Ministries, agencies and Civil Society Organisations to outline solutions, roadmaps and public awareness towards ending harmful practices and any and all forms of gender based violence. This includes bringing together multiple stakeholders, including government enforcement and health sector agencies to develop an  integrated multi-agency Health Sector Response system to assist and protect survivors. 

Working closely with key Ministries, and agencies alongside the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, UNFPA advocates and provides solutions and roadmaps towards removing all social, legal and economic barriers towards equality for Malaysia’s women and girls.  These also include working with Parliamentarians,  Civil Society and Non-Governmental entities to develop responses and infrastructure to deal with Gender Based Violence, Unpaid Care work, Harmful Practices and discrimination via community mobilization frameworks and promoting appropriate monitoring mechanisms.  

What we do

UNFPA works in more than 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s people. Its mission: to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

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UNFPA in CO
Country Representative

Country Representative

Dr. Julitta Onabanjo

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UNFPA Country Representative for Malaysia and Country Director for Thailand. Dr. Julitta Onabanjo brings over 24 years of dedicated experience in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Her leadership and passion for empowering women and youth will drive UNFPA's mission to ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
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