Baby dumping in Malaysia: Strategies to address a social illness

Baby dumping is a serious issue in Malaysia caused by a number of factors, including lack of sufficient sex education and societal stigma. — Filepic

The past decade has witnessed a constant stream of reports on baby dumping cases in Malaysia. The predominant narrative is blaming the women who are forced to turn to this method as a method of resolving their unwanted pregnancy. For women and girls to make better reproductive choices, what is needed is better access to safe and affordable contraceptive and abortion services.

Many young girls and women face unwanted pregnancies due to limited access to information, contraception and the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services. This often impacts their educational options, when they are forced to drop out of school or university due to lack of support and societal stigma.

Stigma not only prevents access to information and the needed health services, it also stops society from discussing this issue in an empathetic and nonjudgmental manner that prioritises the well-being of girls and women facing unintended pregnancies.