EDITORS CORNER

THE issue of whether the legalising of abortion is the solution to babydumping, was again under the spotlight when learners and students from the Khomas Region discussed this sensitive issue under the guidance of the Deputy Chairman of the National Council, Margareth Mensah-Williams.

What came out clearly during the discussion was that women should make the decision whether to abort or not, as they are the affected ones. However, in Namibia abortions are illegal and therefore women cannot exercise their democratic right with regard to their own bodies. It is also no secret that baby-dumping is on the increase with teenage girls being sexually active at a very young age. It is only after they fall pregnant that they realise it was a mistake that cannot be rectified. In many cases the fathers-to-be are also not very helpful and the girls are afraid to be judged by family and community and held accountable.

It is in cases like these that legal abortion done by a medical doctor could be an option and make such girls more aware in future of the consequences of unwanted pregnancies. This should also not mean that should the Namibian Government one day decide to legalise abortion that this would then serve as a green light for becoming pregnant because you can then have an abortion. The Government can test the attitude of the nation by holding a referendum on whether abortion should be legalised or not. This can give guidance on how to tackle the growing number of babydumping tragedies.

Namibian culture also has a negative effect on this problem since parents do not see their way open to frankly discuss sex with their children. In an effort to overcome some of these social taboos, sex-education could be introduced at secondary school level to make youth more aware.

Another aspect is that Namibians are often ignorant about issues that stare them in the face. We as a nation cannot carry on like this any longer and have to act and start caring for one another.