AN MCA leader has slammed Ladang state assemblywoman Zuraida Md Noor in the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly for her call to ban all schoolgirls who have reached puberty from joining any public dance performances in the state.
Calling the suggestion “deeply problematic”, MCA Terengganu state liaison committee chairperson Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew said Zuraida’s proposal undermines the opportunity for all girls to explore their talents and interests.
“Preventing girls from engaging in public performances perpetuates outdated gender norms and hampers their personal growth,” Dr Ong stressed.
“We need to send the correct message about a woman’s agency and challenge the proposal that the Terengganu assemblywoman has put forward.”
On Nov 19, Zuraida suggested the move to improve the enforcement of the Guidelines on Entertainment, Cultural Performances, Tourism, and Sports in Terengganu.
She told the Terengganu legislative assembly last Tuesday it would be “more appropriate” to only allow prepubescent girls to perform to ensure the state continues to receive Allah’s blessings.
“According to Zuraida, to determine whether it is ‘appropriate’ for girls to perform, we should be categorising them into groups of whether they have reached puberty or not,” Dr Ong stated.
“This is a deeply harmful suggestion to make as it implies that once females reach puberty, they are somehow ‘unfit’ for public performance, reinforcing misogyny, archaic and harmful gender stereotypes about women’s bodies and their place in public life.”
Dr Ong noted that restricting participation in such activities based on age or developmental stage may have profound and long-term implications for children’s confidence, self-esteem, and social development.
She said empirical research in developmental psychology suggests that participation in performing arts fosters confidence and enhances self-expression in children.
This is particularly critical during adolescence, a developmental stage marked by identity formation and heightened sensitivity to self-image.
“Engaging in public performances provides adolescents, particularly girls, with opportunities to confront fears, build resilience, and affirm their self-worth,” she pointed out.
“Restricting such participation at this pivotal stage may suppress their ability to express themselves effectively, thereby exacerbating insecurities and impeding their emotional growth.”
According to Dr Ong, Zuraida’s proposal also failed to recognise the broader impact on gender equality, adding that preventing girls from exploring their talents and participating in public performances will regress their growth and ability to challenge societal expectations upon reaching adulthood.
“Encouraging young girls to pursue their interests is essential for fostering gender equality, mobility and breaking down stereotypes, yet proposals like this continue to place unnecessary limitations on them,” she added.
“We cannot enforce such narrow, regressive views of women’s roles in society. By restricting who can perform, it denies women, especially those seeking careers in the arts, the opportunity to be seen and valued for their talent, rather than their age or appearance.”
Describing the state assemblywoman’s proposal as a “step backwards” for both gender equality and artistic expression, Dr Ong said proposals should not be carelessly made based on a girl’s right to dance, perform and express themselves.
“Limiting artistic freedom in the form of oppression is a step backwards, not forwards. Of pertinence is that any performance, be it by male or female, should maintain modesty, be decently attired, keeping to accepted norms in Malaysia,” she stressed. – Nov 26, 2024
