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Syirin Junisya, our Executive Director, quoted the 5th Malaysian Population and Family Survey where its finding indicates that adolescents’ level of knowledge with respect to sexual intercourse was low.
“Only 33.7 per cent of respondents know a girl could become pregnant the first time she engages in sexual intercourse.
“Barely 33.3 per cent know that condoms could prevent sexually transmitted infections and a mere 17.8 per cent know that a girl could become pregnant even if the partner had ejaculated outside the vagina during intercourse,”
There have been 100,000 teen pregnancies recorded in Malaysia since 2014.
She suggested that comprehensive sexuality education be included in school syllabus to curb baby dumping in Malaysia.
“This is to sensitise them and build their capacity to better negotiate in relationships, whether with their peers or adults surrounding them,” she said.
Mdm Syirin shared that the main reasons mothers abandon their babies are desperation and fear of being prosecuted under relevant laws, such as the Penal Code and the Syariah criminal enactment of each state.
There have been instances in the past where mothers sought refuge at purported safe havens, but were then subjected to investigation and prosecution, she added.
“This further compounded the fears these mothers may have,” she said, calling for law reforms such as decriminalising pre-marital sex and providing relevant sexual and reproductive health services.
The reproductive health organisation’s director stressed that besides awareness efforts, it is important for mother to have an unbiased, non-judgemental support system.
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