zarina nalla

8/7/2019 Zarina Nalla

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Baby abandonment is leaving an infant in apublic place or private setting for an extendedperiod of time

Statistics show that baby abandonment is on therise and we have a crisis

This year alone, theMalaysian police havediscovered more than 66abandoned infants, mostof them dead by the timethey were found.


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What approach andattitude should we adopt toimprove the situation?

Identify the underlyingcauses of babyabandonment in Malaysia

Look at the short-term solutions being offeredand recommendations

Look at long-term solutions being offered andsuggest improvements


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Carrying the baby to fullterm, delivery underabnormal circumstances

Traumatic for Mum

Act of abandonment isan act of desperation

We need to look at motive/ Intent of the mother : someonefinds the child or that the baby dies, post-partumpsychosis?

What happens to the abandoned baby ? A forgotten

concern? In Malaysia 149 babies abandoned, 66 survived.


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First category, the most classical example, themother found herself pregnant (knew little abouther body) and was left by the father of the baby.

Second category, were those mothers who hadvery poor social and moral adjustment in earlylife and who had difficulty in acceptingresponsibility.

Third category, included married women whoabandoned their legitimate babies born fromextramarital affairs.


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Breakdown of the family institution; child-neglect.Family is the first place one would go for comfortand help

Little knowledge of reproductivehealth

Cultural stigma that emphasizesabstinence - pregnant girls areeager to hide their pregnancy

Sexual relations is a taboo topic


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Social Stigma highest inMalaycommunity(largest

ethnic group):inclination to judge,shameful

Negative effects of

Religious policing

Fear of the Authorities


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We need stop-gap measures to arrest the rate of

baby-abandonment cases

Reach out, address needs of these women at

whatever stage they are at

The ideal stage . Stage 1 is what we should aim

for. (Best Scenario) In real life the story is different.


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What we should aim for

Our goal is to have a society of responsible men

and women at the end of the day

Low promiscuity

Low inclination towards

sexual relations

outside marriage


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To be educated aboutcontraception and givenaccess

Introduce the consequencesof unintended pregnancies

Girls must know how to

exercise their rightstocontraception; musnt befooled


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The option to abort the child within Msian Law

The option to deliver the baby and keep the child

The option of givingthe baby up foradoption, turn to baby

hatches The option to continue

her studies


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Penal Code

Trace parents through DNA?The father?

Arrest for negligent behavior?

What will happen to thesurviving babies? They

become STATELESS


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Baby dumping that causes thechild's death is classified asmurder, an offence whichcarries the death penalty inMalaysia.

Of the babies dumped thisyear, more than 25% could notbe identified due to

decomposition, including onemauled by dogs.

Murder Case? AG Chambersdecide


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Abortion should be a realoption at public hospitals forthose who are mentallyunprepared to undergo child-birth. Needs to be regulated. It isavailable and clients cannot beexploited.

Shelters/Baby hatches needto be publicized to be effective

We need more Orphan-cares : 14 cases in a year oneabandoned

Government needs to have a more humane face

More Schools for Pregnant Teens


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Stage 1 is our Goal : we want our young to beaware of their bodies and know about reproductivehealth and opt not to engage in sexual relationsoutside marriage

Revitalize the Family institution.This will reduce MANY social illslong term Public Campaigns : hotlines eg Kami Prihatin ,

Schools : Sex Education

Religious bodies

Media : Radio programmes

Parent education programmes

Companies : CSR

Work through NGOs


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Responses from the Govt and Civil Society sofar

Criminalizing Baby Dumping : misunderstood &

sends wrong message Public Campaigns : Kami Prihatin

Hotline

Baby Hatch

School in Malacca


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