Letter to Editor
THERE have been multiple reports that women are being subjected to policing on their attire.
The recent one is in Terengganu where Hanafiah Mat, who is the chairman of the state welfare, women’s development, family and national unity committee, ‘proudly’ announced that action would be taken against women who do not observe a “Sharia-compliant” dress code in Terengganu.
On the same day, a woman was expelled from Parliament for wearing a knee-length skirt with a slit.
It is disconcerting to see this kind of moral policing continuously happening in Malaysia.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) opposes any efforts by the government, public institutions or private sector to force women to dress according to their rules and standards. This is a form of violation and harassment to women to choose their attire and undermine their autonomy and dignity.
SIS also strongly condemns any attempts to publicly humiliate women and impose restrictive dress codes on them as shown in Hanafiah Mat’s statement and the Parliament security officer’s expulsion of a visitor merely for her attire.
This imposition of dress codes degrades women and creates a climate of fear and insecurity as women feel like they are constantly monitored and judged by society in public spaces.
Therefore, it is imperative that both public and private institutions as well as individuals put an end to this obsession with controlling women, particularly how they dress. It is misogynistic and sexist to set a standard for what is ‘appropriate’ and ‘proper’ for women. – Feb 26, 2023
Sisters in Islam
Petaling Jaya
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
