A coalition of women groups today called on the government to engage them in discussions on issues related to equal rights based on the standards set in the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) released its latest shadow report on the government's progress in fulfilling its obligations under the convention, which Malaysia acceded to in 1995.
National Council of Women's Organisation (NCWO) honorary secretary-general Omna-Sreeni Ong said the group will welcome an opportunity to discuss their findings with the relevant ministries to help initiate the necessary legal reforms.
"We would actually like to make presentations to the ministries and make sure that these issues are taken up.
"We can't depend on just one ministry. In fact, it requires (support from) the whole of society," she said during a press conference to launch the Status of Women's Rights: 24 years of Cedaw in Malaysia report.
Speakers during the launch, which was held at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, said the end goal would be to push for women to be given equal rights – rather than the commonly held misconception that they want special rights in comparison to men.
The report was first presented to the UN Cedaw Committee ahead of its review of Malaysia during its 69th meeting in Geneva last February.
Malaysia had previously submitted two periodic reports to the Cedaw committee, and JAG's shadow report notes the implementation of various recommendations made to the government in the 12 years since the last review.
Women Aid's Organisation exco member Shanthi Dairiam (photo) said the groups aimed to assist the government's efforts in identifying gaps under the law which had contributed to inequalities faced by women.
"This report should not be seen as something hitting at the government.
"An open dialogue with the government is necessary and useful without any parties feeling resentful," said the former UN Cedaw committee member.
Shanthi also noted that the Foreign Ministry had earlier this month called for a meeting of the relevant agencies as well as civil society groups to discuss Malaysia's stand on various recommendations made by the UN.
Describing the meeting as an encouraging step, she said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry should follow-up and call for a similar session with their groups, as it has the relevant agencies to implement the bulk of the recommendations made.
Gender equality law
Since its first shadow reporting initiative in 2006, Shanthi said the groups have recommended for the enactment of a Gender Equality Act, and once again urged the new Pakatan Harapan government to adopt a concrete timeframe towards that end.
While the Federal Constitution provides that all citizens are equal under the law and offers protection against any form of discrimination, Shanthi pointed out there was a need to enact a new law which spells out the various definitions of discrimination.
"The second way forward is for us to make visible the discriminations that still exists and why, and have the data to show for it.
"The data must also show the impact of government initiatives, what are the outcomes and what are the barriers," she said, adding that the information would be then be used to come up with a comprehensive gender equality plan for the country.
On the progress towards enactment of the Gender Equality Act, WAO executive director Sumitra Visvanathan (photo) said the government has indicated that it could be ready by sometime next year.
In the meantime, Sumitra said, the groups would in the meantime continue with their advocacy efforts.
"The government needs to look at the report to see what is in there. Also to understand what the status is right now and see how critical the situation is," she stressed.
Among violations to women's rights listed in the report include Malaysia's failure to criminalise marital rape, treatment of refugees, maintaining the cultural practice of female genital mutilation, non-recognition of domestic helpers under the country's employment laws, and discrimination towards LGBTQ communities. -Mkini
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