THE recent case of a 15-year-old girl stabbing her newborn baby to death in Cukai, Kemaman has again highlighted the need for a comprehensive sex, sexuality, and reproductive syllabus to be taught in school, said Professor Noor Aziah Mohd Awal.

The Children’s Commissioner (CC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said the syllabus must be developed by the Education Ministry (MOE) in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. 

“This syllabus should be taught to all children in all government and private schools,” she said today.

Noor Aziah said more effective collaboration and coordination should be fostered among relevant government agencies to intensify efforts in promoting greater awareness among children regarding such education through various mediums, including social media. 

She urged Putrajaya to implement an effective programme to provide emotional support to pregnant teenagers and girls in a safe environment. 

“The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry must publicise services provided by the social welfare department so that families of pregnant teenagers/girls will be more prepared to address the situation,” she said. 

She said it is understood that the girl was a rape victim, and her family was unaware that she was pregnant, as she had been missing from home.

Noor Aziah said the girl dropped out from school soon after the MCO was enforced due to lack of access to online learning.

“Our office was informed that the girl is now in police custody and being detained in a police lock-up.”

“While the CC is aware that the case is being investigated, detaining a 15-year-old girl who had just given birth is clearly not in the best interest of the child.”

The commission said it is of the view that the approach taken in dealing with a child who is in conflict with the law should be in line with the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC) to which Malaysia is a party.

“The CC believes that the girl is definitely suffering from a horrible mental health condition that led her to act in such a way.”

Noor Aziah said it is paramount that the girl must first be given proper postpartum treatment, including psychological treatment, before she undergoes the prosecution process. 

Social welfare department must do more 

Noor Aziah urged that the social welfare department should ensure that sufficient support was given to the girl. 

“The girl should be given the necessary legal aid, in particular, the right to a legal representative as well as a Social Welfare Officer who would act as her probation officer and protector. The social welfare department is urged to arrange for the legal aid to be provided to the girl on a pro bono basis,” she said. 

“The children in conflict with the law must be treated in accordance with the provisions under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) and the CRC. By virtue of Section 83A of Act 611, a child being arrested should not be handcuffed, and the parents or guardian must be informed of the child’s whereabouts,” she said 

“Under the same act and the CRC, the child’s identity must be protected,” she said. 

Noor Aziah said the child has a right to consult a counsel of his or her choice. – February 13, 2022.