Ignorance cause of baby dumping

There are people and places that can help women who are pregnant out of wedlock. There is an urgent need to disseminate information about it.

PETALING JAYA: Lack of information on where they can find help is one of the reasons why women who get pregnant out of wedlock dump their babies.

“They do not get proper information as to whom and where they can go to when in fact there are people who can help and places which can accept them,” said Pusat Kebahagiaan Wanita dan Remaja (Kewaja) chairman Yahya Mohamed Yusuf.

He opined that though out-of-wedlock pregnancy cases are increasing, baby dumping can be decreased.

“There are several departments they can go to, like the social welfare department (JKM) and even religious departments.

“They should not be afraid of getting fined or something because these departments will help to send them somewhere,” he said.

He also emphasised why prevention was better than cure, stressing the need for more awareness programmes.

“These programmes should not be seasonal and only when there are lots of cases they go all out with campaigns, when in fact cases are ever increasing.

“The agencies involved should also highlight in their campaigns where these women can go to, as it is their responsibility,” he said.

Yahya also lamented on the lack of the “tegur-menegur” (advise and reprimand) culture.

“When you see a couple in a secluded spot, we should advise them,” he said, adding that this culture should be done comprehensively.

“The relevant ministries should start the advise and reprimand campaign. In this way, for example, a Malay parent can advise a young Indian couple and vice versa,” he said.

He added that this will in turn create the concept of unity, in line with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s transformation programme.

Societal fear

Meanwhile, Hazlina Abd Razak, chairman of women’s shelter Darul Wardah, said that baby dumping happens because mothers are scared and ashamed.

“They are scared, ashamed and they worry about their future. They also know that whatever they have done goes against moral values.

“Furthermore, although some say the society has become more open, society still cannot accept babies born out of wedlock,” said Hazlina.

She added that these women also probably do not have monetary means.

“Also, they do not know who’s going to take care of the baby. So the ‘easiest’ way is to dump the baby, because fear overcomes everything,” she said.

Hazlina however disagreed that pregnancy out of wedlock happen due to lack in religious education, instead saying that women are spiritually fragile.

“If people say they lack religious education then that is not the case because we have straight-A students coming to us, getting an A for their religious studies.

“They have religious education, but they lack religious observance. It all goes back to God consciousness; they forget that someone is up there observing,” she said.

She also opined that parenting skills need to be enhanced.

“Parents should not give their children too much freedom but they also cannot be too controlling,” she said.

She further expressed her thoughts how punishment should be meted out to those who dump their babies.

“There must be laws to prevent baby dumping. But do we have the political will to implement it?” she said, adding that the punishment should teach them instead of torturing them.

“Also, the men need to be punished because as we know, it takes two to tango. When the men get away scot-free, they will find other women to impregnate,” she said.

“They should be punished, given the chance to rehabilitate and given a second chance to repent and not repeat the same mistake,” said Hazlina.