Zarina Nalla
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Transcript of 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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