Kuala Lumpur, 28 May 2025 – Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM) expresses deep concern over the recent case of a 21 year-old woman in Melaka sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for terminating her pregnancy using abortion pills obtained through social media. FRHAM believes that criminalising women for reproductive choices only deepens the cycle of silence, stigma, and suffering. Malaysia must adopt a public health and human rights approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SR.3R), one that empowers individuals, provides accurate information, and ensures protection and access to care.
This case highlights the urgent need for comprehensive SRHR interventions in the country. The punitive outcome reflects systemic gaps in access to safe, legal, and non-judgmental reproductive health services, particularly for young and vulnerable individuals.
The woman, reportedly five months pregnant and earning a modest income to support her family, acted under duress from her partner and without access to safe, legal medical support. Her situation reveals multiple SRHR failures, including the lack of affordable contraceptive and family planning services, limited access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and the absence of supportive and non- judgmental services for women facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.
To prevent such tragedies, Malaysia must prioritise the strengthening of CSE in schools and communities, expand access to contraception and family planning services for young people and underserved populations, ensure the availability of safe abortion services within the legal framework, and implement youth-friendly SRH services that are confidential, respectful, and sensitive to the challenges young women face. In addition, there is an urgent need to tackle the stigma and cultural silence surrounding sexual and reproductive health, which often drives women to seek unsafe solutions such as purchasing pills online.
FRHAM stands ready to collaborate with government agencies, civil society, and healthcare professionals to strengthen SRHR services in Malaysia and ensure that no one is left to make unsafe, unsupported decisions due to a lack of access, knowledge, or care.
DR. ANNUAR HUSAINY BIN HUSSEIN
ACTING CHAIRPERSON
FRHAM
