Not all women MPs aware of gender bias, says Nurul Izzah

 

More robust policies are needed to tackle sexual harassment, especially in schools, including policies to protect whistleblowers, says NGO.

PETALING JAYA: Some women MPs are to blame for the plight of Malaysian women who continue to face bias and inequality, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said today.

“We assume that just because they are women, they would understand (discrimination).

“This, however, depends on their upbringing, and other factors,” she said.

Speaking at the Malaysia Women & Girls Forum 2021, Nurul Izzah was responding to forum participants who had expressed their hope to see more women in Parliament.

One of them was Women’s Centre for Change programme director Karen Lai.

“When there are women representatives in Parliament, there will be a heightened level of attention to women and children-related issues,” she said.

In response, Nurul Izzah said she would forward proposals raised at the forum to the Dewan Rakyat.

On the Sexual Harassment Bill tabled recently, All Women’s Action Society executive director Nisha Sabanayagam said they wanted a bill that was holistic and answered the needs of society.

“(The bill) does not address an organisation’s duty of care, be it public or private, on sexual harassment within the organisation.

“We need more robust policies, especially in schools, including policies to protect whistleblowers,” she said.

Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Sumitra Visvanathan agreed and said the bill needed a comprehensive definition of sexual harassment that covered all aspects, including online harassment.

“The tribunal (dealing with sexual harassment) needs to be meaningful and protect survivors’ privacy, protect against victim-blaming and cater to their needs, such as compensation, among others,” she said. - FMT