THIS year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, “Break the Bias”, is aimed at raising awareness to the gender biases women face every day in all walks of life. Biases exist around us in terms of gender, colour, nationality, height, identity, physical disability, sexuality, and the list goes on.
Gender bias refers to women being treated differently than men and her potential being suppressed in many aspects.
#BreaktheBias movement encourages us to rethink and call out gender bias when we see it happen, keeping us accountable for our thoughts and actions.
Whether the bias is deliberate or subconscious, it prevents women from achieving their full potential by obstructing the many chances and recognition due to them.
Last year, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released a study revealing that almost 90% of men and women show some bias against women, which creates a lot of barriers and obstacles for women. The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI), which measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education, and contains data from 75 countries, covering over 80% of the world’s population shared concerns about the vast power gap between men and women in politics and the economy.
Even today, in Malaysia, women Parliamentarians have to struggle to make their voices heard in the midst of all the sexist taunts by their male counterparts.
If that can happen to Parliamentarians, can you imagine the fate of normal women in workplace and public domain, in trying to get their voices heard or issues highlighted?
M’sia still lagging behind
Unfortunately, our society as a whole has proven to be biased, sexist, misogynistic, unequal and insensitive. It reveals itself in our thought process, working norms and interactions deeply rooted in traditional gender roles and norms and the underlying imbalance of power that shapes them. This creates a substantial disparity in how women and girls acquire opportunities to engage in public life compared to men and boys.
The Malaysian society perpetuates many “norms” that marginalises several factions of the society, including the LGBTQI+ community.
For women in Malaysia, especially from the minority, marginalised and underrepresented groups, this year’s IWD theme is very meaningful as it focusses on equal representation and gender balance in public decision-making process.
We all have our unconscious biases, which is a huge problem. It is time for us to realise it and encourage women to speak up against bias at the workplace, at home, in Parliament, and in every aspect of our lives. It is time fir us to be inspired and inspire others to break the bias.
Regardless of gender, International Women’s Day (IWD) today is a moment for us to reflect on and celebrate the women’s struggle in Malaysia and globally. Together, we can take it further and make more progress supporting women’s rights.
Equality is not only about aspirations; it is a collective responsibility and gender equality is not a women issue alone but of mankind.
Happy International Women’s Day from Parti Sosialis Malaysia! – March 8, 2022.
E Nalini is the Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s head of gender bureau.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
