Southeast Asia – Less Contraception Use In A Pandemic?

Athira Nortajuddin
15 March 2021

Just last year when over half of humanity was confined to their homes due to COVID-19 preventive measures, Karex, a Malaysian contraceptives manufacturer predicted a global condom shortage as the pandemic shuttered factories and disrupted supply chains.

This came as Malaysia, one of the world’s top rubber producers and a major source of condoms, imposed a nationwide lockdown – known locally as the Movement Control Order (MCO). The MCO was implemented sometime in mid-March 2020 for several months.

Continued: https://theaseanpost.com/article/less-contraception-use-pandemic

South Asia – ASEAN Underground Abortion

ASEAN Underground Abortion

Athira Nortajuddin
6 July 2020

Abortion is an extremely taboo topic in some parts of conservative Southeast
Asia.

ASEAN member states such as the Philippines and Lao do not permit abortion.
Whereas Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand only allow abortion if a medical
practitioner deems that continuing the pregnancy poses a danger to the mother’s
life and health.

Continued: https://theaseanpost.com/article/asean-underground-abortion

Malaysia – ‘Make abortion pills available at clinics, pharmacies’

'Make abortion pills available at clinics, pharmacies'
People buy abortion pills online as they are an easier and less stigmatised route.

By Teh Athira Yusof
January 6, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Experts are calling for abortion pills to be made available at public health clinics and pharmacies to prevent cases of overdose and serious health complications.

Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM) hotline coordinator Dr Sim Poey Choong said while the dangers cited by the Health Ministry regarding the overdose of abortion pills were correct, it hardly seemed to be a good reason to prevent the pills from being prescribed and supervised by doctors to provide safe abortions in early pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.nst.com.my/news/exclusive/2020/01/553841/make-abortion-pills-available-clinics-pharmacies