The government must focus on educating parents to combat the issue of abandoned newborn babies.

That is the view of the  President of the newly-launched party, Samoa National Democratic Party (S.N.D.P.), Vui Seigafolava Masinamua.

Vui said he does not agree with providing sex education in schools.

"Does the parent want their child to be told what to do by someone else?," he asked.

"I do not agree with sex education programmes in school, because this is the duty of a parent and the government is responsible to educate these parents to raise the awareness, to rid of the old prideful ways and thoughts."

Three recent cases of child-abandonment, including the recent return of a Samoan woman allegedly arrested in Malaysia, have revived calls for sex education in schools, including from the Samoa Family Health Association (S.F.H.A.)

But Vui says the role of parents seem to be lacking in providing awareness of options that may be available to their daughters. 

"The duties of a parent include talking to their child about these matters. But the role of the government should be educating the parents," he told Samoa Observer. 

The S.N.D.P. is a recreation of the old opposition party, the Samoa National Development Party and had its official launch on Wednesday morning. 

"The children are smart but the area they should focus on is the lack of knowledge on the parent’s side that stimulates the fear of the child to tell their parents of what is going on."

Vui said although breakdowns happen in light of such circumstances, but they do need to prioritise their child, "the new life within them from God is the most important part."

The Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.), recently issued a call to mothers in Samoa to ask for help and not to take the lives of their newborn babies as Samoa reels from a second case of fatal child abandonment.  

“No child whether young, old or new born deserves to die at the hands of the parents due to negligence, pride or poverty.  All children are a gift from God,” she said.

“Sadly, the incidences of abandoned babies in Samoa of late, remind us that all is not well in our beautiful slice of paradise.”

The Vice President of the National Council of Churches, Reverend Aisoli Iuli, has also called for a response to cases of newborn babies being abandoned such as the provision of safe hatches allowing infants to be abandoned safely. 

Reverend Aisoli called on the Samoa Government to consider a baby hatch or baby box programme in response to the problem.

The body of dead newborn baby girl was discovered dumped next to a trash bin at the Mulifanua wharf last Saturday morning, which follows just one month after another infant was found dead, this time floating on the scene at Lauli’i.

The S.N.D.P. Party, led by Aulavemai Tafito Valasi, was launched on Wednesday at the Tu'utu'uileloloto Hall, with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi invited to speak at the launch.

The party's Patron is Papali'i Titiuatoa Malietoa.