Fatimah: Support instead of blame to prevent baby dumping

KUCHING: Society should not put the whole blame on girls who got pregnant out of wedlock as it takes two to make a baby, says Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

Fatimah said help and support should be rendered instead so they can have a better future.

“There is no point blaming the girl anymore. Yes, parents can lecture them but the way forward is to support pregnant teenagers so they can have a future as they deserve a second chance,” she told a press conference after chairing One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC) meeting at her office yesterday.

The stigma on unwed young mothers and lack of family support is one reason for baby dumping as teenagers are ashamed to tell anyone and seek help.

The ministry through OSTPC and the Social Development Council will continue to address the issue of baby dumping aggressively by conducting integrated and holistic programme called Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy (KAPS).

Factors that cause teenage pregnancies include lack of supervision by parents or guardians, family problems, drugs and substance abuse, social interaction and poverty.

"Early exposure, low sex education level, dropping out from school, low religious teaching and moral values can also lead to teenage pregnancies. Thus, teenagers need to be taught properly and boys need to be taught to be responsible."