Is Majalah Dara’s Save Your Virginity Campaign Sending The Right Message?
A female magazine launched a "Save Your Dara (Virginity)" campaign to promote sexual abstinence targeted at young Malaysian girls to address the issues of increasing unwanted pregnancies and free sex amongst young Malaysians.
Cover image via @hijabistamag/Instagram
On Friday, 30 January, "Save Your Dara Campaign" was launched at the Karangkraf Carnival 2015 to promote sexual abstinence amongst young girls
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Majalah Dara, the magazine behind the campaign, aimed to raise awareness as well as educate young girls on the need to protect their virginity
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Launched by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), the campaign is in response to the spike in unwanted pregnancies and casual sex, of which the magazine attributed to chastity problems amongst young Malaysian girls
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Although the intention of the Save Your Dara Campaign was noble, the execution and approach in the campaign doesn't seem to sit quite right with some people
The female-targeted campaign came under fire on Twitter under the hashtag #SaveYourDaraCampaign
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Many have pointed out that sexism is being perpetrated and questioned why it was only directed at women
Is it fair to only hold girls accountable when sex education in Malaysia is focused on abstinence and barely discuss the practice of safe sex?
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This further reinforces the blame culture and takes all responsibilities away from men. Instead, many would have preferred to see Majalah Dara promoting female empowerment.
There were also criticisms that the campaign seemed like a scheme to promote the women's magazine
On the other hand, attendees of the event, felt that the campaign provided information that were beneficial and educational to teenagers
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Twitter user Idris also defended the intention of the campaign and praised the effort to recognise the subject of free sex and not just sweeping it under the rug
Does the "Save You Dara Campaign" just have an unfortunate name and misunderstood with its message misconstrued? Or was it as sexist and ignorant some say it was? Are people judging too much?
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