Desperate moms dump 234 babies

According to the police, a total of 41 cases of abandoned newborn babies was registered between 2016 and 2017.

The statistics further show that between 2017 and 2018, 22 babies were dumped.

Between 2018 and 2019, the number remained at 22.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of cases increased to 41.

A total of 56 babies were dumped in the country between 2020 and 2021, indicating a rise, and last year, the police recorded 32 cases of babies being dumped.

This year, 20 newborn babies were abandoned from January until May.

National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi says 16 cases of baby dumping have been in court since last year.

This year seven cases are pending before the courts.

“;STILL A CRIME”;

Shikwambi says baby dumping remains a crime.

“Baby dumping, or alternative murder, is a serious crime, and is punishable by law. Hence, as law enforcers, we continue to deter women from the commission of such crimes, thereby

encouraging them to seek assistance, instead of abandoning or killing their babies,” she says.

Shikwambi says young, expecting women are confronted with extremely difficult circumstances, but there is help.

Esther Lusepani, executive director of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare says societies and family members of pregnant or breastfeeding mothers who are finding themselves in desperate situations must support them.

Lusepani says an unemployed mother who is pregnant or breastfeeding and is unsupported, finds herself in a dire situation, and family members should take care of them.

“For someone to surrender their babies, is not easy. They need our support as a society.

“Bringing the child for adoption is an option. Many of these babies need their daddies and mothers,” she says.

She says most mothers who dump their babies end up in jail.

CHILD GRANT, BABY BOX

“We have a vulnerable child grant that mothers who are not able to support their babies can apply for. The ministry gives N$250 per month,” she says.

The founder of the Ruach Elohim Foundation at Swakopmund, Ronel Peters, yesterday said she has a baby-saver box in which mothers can put their unwanted babies.

Peters said mothers can leave their newborns there anonymously, upon which the management of the foundation would be notified of the baby dropped in the box through an alarm.

“We are happy to say we have recently received our seventh baby in our baby-saver box. Although I”;m not happy that the baby was abandoned, it is a relief it did not end up in the rubbish bin,” she said.

Peters said she founded the organisation in 2018.

“I am strongly encouraging every desperate pregnant mother with an unplanned pregnancy to contact the foundation if they are considering dumping or taking the lives of their babies,” she said.

Peters said all calls would be treated confidentially.

“Please be responsible at all times. Seek help or contact us. Together we can save the lives of our innocent babies,” she said.

CAUSES

Human rights activist Rosa Namises says there are different reasons why mothers decide to abandon their babies.

“Sometimes it can be because of a relationship breakdown, resulting in the mother having to face tough situations to raise the baby,” she says.