More men have to speak up on issues faced by women, particularly in the political scene, Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majlis said.
“Women’s issues should be discussed by men. We want women’s plights to be heard, yet only women seem to be talking about these.
“...We should make men interested in our issues. There are so many issues that need to be discussed," Isnaraissah (above) said during a virtual panel discussion organised by the Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (Sawo) yesterday.
The Warisan lawmaker added that men from different political parties should be brought in to listen to these issues to better understand the plight of women and to help empower women in politics.
The panel, titled "Gender and Politics", was part of Sawo’s Gender and Political Programme (GAP) that aims to share the experiences and challenges faced by women leaders from different backgrounds.
Other panellists were Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee and Liawan assemblyperson Annuar Ayub.
Maria said women's issues should be seen as a national issue.
“I do not think it is a question about how to make men interested in the issues faced by women. Women’s issues are human rights, therefore making it a national problem.
The PKR lawmaker said that it was a collective responsibility and should not be divided into merely "women’s issues" or "men’s issues".
“We cannot put a division on these issues and say that men do not have an interest in (women’s) issues. I believe that they do, but we have to argue the issue differently to show that it is an important national issue,” Maria said.
The Petaling Jaya MP said one of the reasons there is a difficulty for lawmakers to enact laws that protect women, such as the Domestic Violence Act, was due to a lack of a critical mass in Parliament.
“We only have 14 percent of women MPs in Parliament. Issues faced by women are only raised by women and are lobbied for and advocated by women. (It is) very seldom do we see male MPs in support," she added.
Maria said that although her political party encourages women involvement, there remain other challenges faced, such as lack of representation by indigenous and disabled women, lack of education, lack of training and household responsibilities.
“We have to challenge those stereotypes to allow women in politics.
“I have spoken to women from (different political parties) and these women are always unable to attend their party’s meetings because they have to take care of their children or cook.
“These are not criteria we put on men,” Maria said.
Encouraging leadership through education
Maria said she hoped that local NGOs and current women in politics can work together to increase women's political involvement as candidates, even as local councillors and assemblypersons.
“Training should be given to allow the women to gain confidence and understanding on various issues, not only women’s issues but the environment and education among other important national issues. Then you have a much more holistic approach as a leader," she said.
She added that men continued to dominate the negotiations involved in the decision-making process. However, this needs to change.
Wong, on the other hand, suggested that leadership encouragement should begin at the grassroots level in formal education or in extracurricular activities.
“During my time, we did not have much exposure to governance and public policies.
“Therefore, as women, we do not know the impact that we bring when we have more voices in the Parliament,” Wong said, adding that rural areas should be specially targeted.
She added that in order to increase more voices in Parliament, more facilities have to be added to accommodate women.
“The Parliament is so big. There are so many blocks, a badminton court, a theatre hall and a gym. Yet, there is no room for (mothers) to breastfeed or a playroom for children,” Wong added. - Mkini
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