KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — A campaign to promote sexual abstinence among young girls has been pummelled on Twitter, with users criticising the local magazine behind it for focussing solely on preserving female virginity.

The issue debated under the hashtag #SaveYourDaraCampaign sparked outrage, with some mocking the initiative and taking swipes at the campaign’s organiser, Majalah Dara, a subsidiary of the Karangkraf Group.

“Yg tudung litup tutup elok pun kena rogol so perlu ke #SaveYourDaraCampaign ni? Teach men to respect ladies?” said a user with the handle @seriousmockery.

[Translation: Those who are fully covered in a tudung are also raped, so is there a need for this #SaveYourDaraCampaign?]

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In similar tone, a user who goes by @ladymissazira posted: “I find it disturbing that a popular woman’s magazine approved sexist #SaveYourDaraCampaign #CintaHalalItuIndah #KeepItHalal #saveyourdara.”

“Pe benda sial #SaveYourDaraCampaign ni aduh why is malaysia constantly begging to be made fun of,” added @nylaineza.

[Translation: What is wretched #SaveYourDaraCampaign? Why is Malaysia constantly begging to be made fun off]

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While most of the critics were women, the campaign was also lambasted by Malay Muslim men who labelled it a “shallow approach”.

“Selain jatuhnya nilai matawang RM, tingkat pemikiran sebahagian orang Malaysia jugak makin merudum. Siapa buat #SaveYourDaraCampaign ni?” said a user who goes by the handle @kuhaf.

[Translation:Aside from the drop in value of the ringgit, the level of thinking of some Malaysians has also taken a plunge. Who’s behind #SaveYourDaraCampaign?]

Another Twitter user with the account @TOKKhairul protested by calling the campaign “blatantly stupid”.

Sex education has long been a taboo subject here in Malaysia where even being in close proximity with a member of the opposite sex, who is not a spouse or a family member, is considered an offence for Muslims.

The two-day corporate social responsibility campaign, which was launched by National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) director-general Datuk Dr Siti Norlasiah Ismail at the Karangkraf Carnival 2015 on Friday, is to raise awareness on protecting one’s chastity to avoid the risk of getting involved social ills.

In an interview by Sinar Harian, Dara’s editor Noor Fazidah Umar was quoted saying that “cases of baby dumping, illegitimate children and free sex are closely related to one’s’ chastity”.

A screen capture of the video posted by Sinar on YouTube, showing participants at the campaign to promote sexual abstinence among young girls.
A screen capture of the video posted by Sinar on YouTube, showing participants at the campaign to promote sexual abstinence among young girls.

A brief introduction of the magazine states that “it is a guide” for campus dwellers and young working adults from ages 16 to 25.

Despite the backlash, the campaign appeared to have gained the sought attention as it drew encouraging feedback from those who had attended the carnival.

According to a video posted by Sinar on YouTube, participants interviewed found the programmes to be beneficial and empowering.

“Teenagers gained plenty information and a lot of importance was given to how we carry ourselves, how we dressed to not arouse men,” said Nur Shahirah Ali.

Another participant identified as Nur Lia Muhd added that the scope of the campaign should be widened to involve more teenagers as the activities organised effectively covered issues affecting the youth, especially on sexual promiscuity.

Likewise a Twitter user, who goes by ‏@Aidris28 posted, “I don’t think the #SaveYourDaraCampaign is a bad idea. It educates young women about the harms of free sex.”

“I am proud of this nation to at least recognise the subject of free sex. Rather than just ignore it. #SaveYourDaraCampaign,” said ‏@Aidris28, but added that the campaign organisers could opt to change the name of the campaign.

In Malaysia, abstinence is the primary focus in sex education, with a curriculum focussed on teaching teenagers on how to identify and avoid risky behaviour.

But the rising number of teen pregnancies as well as baby-dumping cases in recent years has led to various efforts to address the issue. This includes the setting-up of baby hatches, a safe place for mothers to leave unwanted babies, as well as a school for pregnant teens in Malacca.

Between January and March last year, a total of 1,048 teen pregnancies were reported.