Birth rates are an important aspect of any country as the number of children being born each year determines what policy will be implemented concerning the health system, education, economy.
An MP from PAS has recently suggested that the government should consider giving an award to women who boost Malaysia’s birth rate by giving birth.
PAS MP proposes birth rate award
As per Malaysiakini’s report, this suggestion was put forth by Tumpat MP Mumtaz Nawi during a parliamentary query yesterday (Oct 15).
According to Mumtaz, having such an award would elevate the status of women who contributed to Malaysia’s birth rate by bearing children.
She then cited the Order of Maternal Glory as one example of such an award, which is currently being practiced in Mongolia.
According to The World by PRX, the Order of Maternal Glory first began in the 1950s to keep the country’s birth rate high and over 129,000 Mongolian mothers have been conferred the award.
The award is divided into two levels: women who bore six or more kids would receive a medal called the “First Order of Glorious Motherhood” and 200,000 tugriks (RM253) yearly, while those with four kids were given “Second Order of Glorious Motherhood” and 100,000 tugriks (RM126) annually.
Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) stood at 1.6 children per female in 2022, a sharp drop from 2.1 children per female back in 2010, reported The Star.
Award for mothers already in place
In response to Mumtaz’ proposal, Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said the government had already started giving the Ibu Inspirasi award during national Mother’s Day celebrations this year.
She added that the award was aimed to honour the sacrifices made by certain mothers in raising their children.
Nancy also said that her ministry is looking into various ways to boost fertility rates such as advocacy and tax exemptions for fertility treatments and opening male fertility clinics.
Nancy also said that the government is setting up a National Subfertility Centre in Shah Alam in order to offer fertility treatments at affordable rates.
The birth rate issue has been highlighted numerous times in the past, especially within the Chinese community:
