The recent tragic discovery of a newborn – abandoned at Stanley, Rose Hill – is a stark reminder of the profound failures within our society when it comes to responsible parenting and support for vulnerable women. Behind this heartbreaking event lies a complex web of issues: limited access to safe and legal abortion, social taboos surrounding sexuality and the heartbreaking reality of women left to navigate their pregnancies alone, often in silence and despair.
While the creation of shelters and support systems remains vital, this is merely treating the symptom rather than addressing the root causes. Our laws must evolve to reflect the gravity of parental responsibility, especially when it comes to fathers who abandon their children and leave women to bear the burden alone. It is unjust and unfair that, in many cases, women are forced to carry the full responsibility of pregnancy and child-rearing, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
It is also essential to acknowledge that the law of nature is such that there should be a man and a woman to make a baby. How can we expect only one parent to bear all the burden? Both parents should be present for the baby, as both have equal responsibility towards the child. Responsible parenting requires shared accountability from both mother and father, as the law of nature has envisioned.
We must advocate for stricter laws that hold irresponsible fathers accountable — those who impregnate women and then disappear, neglecting their duties and rights as parents. Such legal frameworks should serve as a deterrent against abandonment and promote a culture where shared responsibility becomes the norm, not an exception.
Moreover, we are talking about fundamental human rights. A child is a human being, just like any other person, with the right to identity, protection and care. How can a baby be born without a mother or a father to declare her/him in the birth act? Isn’t that a violation of human rights? We must do justice and be fair: sex is not everything. One should be responsible while having intercourse and able to assume the responsibilities that come with it. We cannot continue to encourage a culture where people are unfair towards their children, leaving them vulnerable and neglected. Instead, we should strive for responsible parenting, where accountability and compassion guide our societal values.
In this context, as we observe Breastfeeding Week, it is a timely reminder of the importance of early parental responsibility. Breastfeeding is not just a health recommendation; it symbolizes a profound act of nurturing, care and responsibility from the very beginning of a child’s life. Supporting mothers in breastfeeding and providing them with the necessary resources and education is part of fostering responsible parenting. It emphasizes the role of society in nurturing the next generation, thus ensuring that children receive the love, protection and care they deserve from the moment they are born.
A healthy relationship leads to a healthy family. A healthy family leads to a healthy society and a healthy society leads to a happy and peaceful world. This chain underscores the vital importance of fostering genuine, respectful and supportive relationships at every level. When families are built on love, responsibility and mutual respect, the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous society is laid.
Furthermore, the government, especially the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and relevant authorities, must prioritize comprehensive education on responsible parenthood. This includes promoting safe sexual practices, emphasizing the importance of contraception and fostering awareness about the rights and duties of parents. Education is the most effective tool to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the number of women forced into impossible choices.
At the same time, reforms should focus on making laws more severe for those who abandon their children, ensuring that neglect and irresponsibility are met with appropriate consequences. Creating shelters is essential but they should be seen as safety nets — temporary solutions — while the real challenge lies in preventing the circumstances that lead to such tragedies.
We owe it to our society to create an environment where every child has a chance at life and every woman feels supported and empowered. Responsibility, compassion and justice must guide our policies and societal attitudes. It is time for the authorities to act decisively: to review, strengthen and enforce laws that uphold the dignity of parenthood and protect the most vulnerable among us.
As we celebrate Breastfeeding Week, let us renew our commitment to responsible parenting from the very start — supporting mothers, nurturing children and building a society rooted in care, accountability and justice. Only through a proactive and responsible approach can we hope to prevent more tragedies and thus build a society that values and safeguards life at every stage.