ID :
108917
Sun, 02/28/2010 - 08:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/108917
The shortlink copeid
DECAYING FAMILY VALUE AND SUPPORT SYSTEM
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil fears that the decaying family value and support system will lead to more serious cases of child abuse.
She said that society was now becoming more individualistic as husbands and
wives became too busy to the extent that they had no time to develop a strong
family relationship which contributed to the problem.
"I fear when there is a collapse in family values and the family institution
support group, this problem will become more serious.
"This is a serious crime. Previously it was abuse, now it has reached the stage
of murder. We are moving towards a society that is more individualistic," she
told reporters here Saturday.
She said this when asked to comment on the case of Syafia Humairah Sahari, 3,
who died after she was believed to have been abused by her mother's boyfriend on
Thursday.
She said cases of violence against children were becoming more rampant, and
reminded everyone, especially family members, that it was their joint
responsibility to check such crimes although there was adequate law and policy
on this.
Shahrizat also criticised the views of certain quarters who were quick to put
the blame on women who were involved in such cases.
She said the problem of absentee fathers in the life of children had also
contributed to child abuse.
"People are often biased. The first person they ask is the woman involved, but
they never ask where the child's father is," she said.
Touching on a relevant matter, Shahrizat said the issue of educating the young
on sexual and reproductive health through the formal education system should not
be delayed any longer.
She said all quarters including religious bodies should view the matter
objectively.
She said that a proposal for sex education to be included in the national
education system was submitted to the Education Ministry several years ago but
to date there had been no development.
"I know that many people may feel touchy and sceptic about it. Judging by the
escalation of such cases, we can no longer sweep the matter under the carpet.
"Our young people must really be taught about reproductive health and the risks
of unwanted and early pregnancies," she added.
-- BERNAMA
She said that society was now becoming more individualistic as husbands and
wives became too busy to the extent that they had no time to develop a strong
family relationship which contributed to the problem.
"I fear when there is a collapse in family values and the family institution
support group, this problem will become more serious.
"This is a serious crime. Previously it was abuse, now it has reached the stage
of murder. We are moving towards a society that is more individualistic," she
told reporters here Saturday.
She said this when asked to comment on the case of Syafia Humairah Sahari, 3,
who died after she was believed to have been abused by her mother's boyfriend on
Thursday.
She said cases of violence against children were becoming more rampant, and
reminded everyone, especially family members, that it was their joint
responsibility to check such crimes although there was adequate law and policy
on this.
Shahrizat also criticised the views of certain quarters who were quick to put
the blame on women who were involved in such cases.
She said the problem of absentee fathers in the life of children had also
contributed to child abuse.
"People are often biased. The first person they ask is the woman involved, but
they never ask where the child's father is," she said.
Touching on a relevant matter, Shahrizat said the issue of educating the young
on sexual and reproductive health through the formal education system should not
be delayed any longer.
She said all quarters including religious bodies should view the matter
objectively.
She said that a proposal for sex education to be included in the national
education system was submitted to the Education Ministry several years ago but
to date there had been no development.
"I know that many people may feel touchy and sceptic about it. Judging by the
escalation of such cases, we can no longer sweep the matter under the carpet.
"Our young people must really be taught about reproductive health and the risks
of unwanted and early pregnancies," she added.
-- BERNAMA
