AMID this great political uncertainty, rising COVID-19 cases and a slowing economy, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has urged the new Government to prioritise and uphold the rights of all women, children, and vulnerable communities in Malaysia – many of whom are most at risk of sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination.
Chief among its demands is the appointment of a Women, Family and Community Development Minister who is effective, competent, gender-sensitive and has a robust understanding of gender equality and non-discrimination. The person must also have the capacity to support the legal and policy work required to address the core issues.
The joint group also calls on the Government of the day to immediately institute the following legislative, constitutional and policy reforms to effectively uphold human rights:
- Table a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Bill as drafted by the special project team;
- Amend the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to criminalise stalking;
- Adopt the Gender Equality Act drafted by JAG which defines and prohibits all forms of discrimination against women in public and private spheres and ensures the de facto equality of women;
- Amend the Employment Act 1955 to prevent discrimination based on gender, race, religion, pregnancy and marital status;
- Amend Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution to include disability as a ground for non-discrimination;
- Amend Article 15(2) to ensure automatic conferment of citizenship to children born to Malaysian mothers outside of Malaysia; and
- Proceed with the implementation of the National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage that was launched by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in January 2020.
The call made by JAG was endorsed by nine member organisations, namely Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO); Women’s Centre for Change (WCC Penang), KRYSS Network, Sisters in Islam, Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group, Justice for Sisters, Association of Women Lawyers, Tenaganita and All Women’s Action Society (AWAM).
JAG also urges the Government to revive and review gender mainstreaming plans which would focus on gender-sensitive policies and processes, aiming to bring about the equality of women and men, including:
- Gender responsive budgeting in state and national budgets; and
- Collection of gender-disaggregated data and other data that are disaggregated according to other relevant categories.
Last on JAG’s wish list is for the Government to ensure a minimum of 30% of its Cabinet and other government-linked decision-making bodies are represented by women. This would be double the last line-up where only five of 31 ministers were women (15.2%). – Aug 21, 2021
