Malaysia is now the 5th fastest growing AIDS epidemic in the East Asia and Pacific region. According to the UNICEF, the rate of Malaysian infected by HIV is doubling every three years. The current statistic showed that averages of 17 people are tested positive for the virus each day. Most of these carriers are women and children. The increased number of child abandonment and child abuse has become a major concern to the society too. To continue, the rising number of abortion is indeed a nail biting scenario. Next, the over population of the country can cause a lot of destruction, especially to the environment. Finally, the rising number of sexual workers can be a threat for the spread of deadly contagious diseases. These are the core reason why we are proposing that contraceptive should be more accessible in Malaysia. Contraceptives should be more accessible because it offers many advantages be it social, politics and economy wise.
To strengthen our proposal, a survey involving 50 respondents was conducted. The survey took place in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Malacca as they are more exposed to the subject and are more open minded, acceptance wise and voicing out opinions. The respondents’ age ranges between 17 to 25 years old. The analysis of the survey showed that the respondents are aware of the existence of contraceptives. Condoms and birth control pills for example. Ironically, the statistic showed almost 85% of the people do not use precaution during their sexual intercourse. Only 10% of them are using contraceptives regularly. The other 5% uses contraceptives occasionally as in when they are having sex involving unfamiliar partners. The respondents said the reason being for not using any safety barrier is because they claim to hardly feel any sensation from the intercourse. Other than that, society’s stigma towards contraceptives and its users makes it harder. The community often gives bad remarks to the people purchasing condoms, for example, can be a mental stress for the users. The culture and mentality of the people can also lead to the low knowledge of safe sex. Next, the agony of process to get hold of some contraceptives and the complicated process of inserting contraceptives such as IUD is a turn down factor for the women. In addition, the cost for some contraceptive makes it almost impossible to get hold on.
Through out the survey, we also collected data on the respondents’ preference of contraceptives. 53% of the women would opt for IUD or may be Norplant as they last long, highly effective and dependable. 27% prefer birth control pill; 10% will use natural method of avoiding intercourse during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle; 5% favour the condom; the remaining 5% rather perform the coitus interruptus or the withdrawal method. The men on the on the other hand prefer the IUD and Norplant because it cater the excitement of the intercourse and at the same time prevent from unwanted pregnancy. The alternative to the IUD is the condom because of the availability.
By making the contraceptive easily accessible, we are indirectly promoting safe sex. With such implementation, we are actually taking a huge step to curb the spread the spread of HIV/AIDS. In fact, it is medically proven that IUD and condom is the only two barriers against HIV/AIDS and STDs. Once the contraceptives are more accessible, it gives the people whom are suffering from the disease to enjoy their sex life normally. Furthermore, with the access, women will have the “veto” power over their health and body. They can finally fulfill their sexual desire with an ease mind. They need not to worry about catching diseases and most importantly, getting pregnant. Unwanted pregnancies can cause a lot of problem to the women’s health especially after the abortion procedure (D&C). The procedure can cause infection, bleeding, impotent and death other than depression. Contraceptive is the most appropriate method for family planning. With the demanding and hectic lifestyle and the high living cost, contraceptive is the alternative to solve the family financial status.
To continue, the broader access for contraceptives can boost the national economy. When there is greater access, the demand will rise. Therefore, the production level will be high and more labours will be needed to fulfil the demand. This situation will create a lot of vacancies. This seems to be a great solution for the unemployment. The text collected from the industries can help in the national development too. With contraceptives, we can control the population. Hence, we can minimise forest clearance for development and for dumpsites. As a result, there will be less environmental problem and pollution. Not only that, this will help the government to save billions of ringgit to compose garbage and for environment conservation. Once the contraceptives are widely sold, the prices will not be as expensive as before. What we meant by more accessible is they are widely sold, even in hotels and there will be absolutely no minimum age to get hold of contraceptives. There will also be a special service to give women free consultation about contraceptives. In Government Hospitals, the process of getting the implanted contraceptives will be faster regardless of their marital status and conducted with no discrimination what so ever.
Moving along, by making contraceptives needily available throughout the nation, it will give Malaysia a good impression in making the effort to control the spreading of HIV/ AIDS: people from all around the world, tourist and foreigner will be confidence with the high health regulation standard as the chances of getting infected is reduced. With majority of the people are healthy and happy, the productivity of our country will increase. Therefore, the country’s economy is stable and strong. The growth of economy will attract more investors to invest in Malaysia. Hence, they will be ties among many countries. Malaysia will be recognizing in the world to be a hub for profitable investment.
However, just by giving more access to contraceptives alone will not be sufficient. The government and the society should join forces and try to take hold of the current situation. More awareness campaign should be conduct. Advertisement stressing on the effect of HIV/ AIDS, STDs and abortion should be aired especially during the primetime. Conference and talks should be conducted more so that the public know the advantages of using the contraceptives, how to use them and the suitability of the contraceptive with their age, health and frequency of sex activity with such creative and innovative approach, the public will be well equip with all the essential knowledge on contraceptives. Beside that, the society will have to put away their orthodox thinking bout contraceptives because contraceptives is the proven to be save and reliable. The stigma about contraceptives and its’ users should be forfeit or abolish. We should not discriminate the users just because of their doing might be morally wrong. We should encourage people to come out and seek advice for contraceptives rather than doing unprotected sex. Sex education also should be taught in all schools so that teenagers are aware of the circumstances of doing sex.
In conclusion, easier access to contraceptives is the initial step to fight against HIV/ AIDS and STDs. We cannot stop people from having intercourse. But, we can at least be sure the safety of the sex. By making the contraceptives more accessible, we do not mean by promoting free sex, instead, we are encouraging safe sex where the risk of being infected is minimum. The avaibility of the contraceptives will make sure that women have rights over their body. It also will help to solve the world health issue. Furthermore, the proposal will indirectly boost the nations’ economy and politic stability. With all the facts and argument presented, we hope to see in the future, contraceptives will be sold everywhere even in vending machine and are use properly by the consumer. Lastly, we want to make sure by taking this measure, the HIV/ AIDS rates will decrease in the nest few years.
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