MP SPEAKS | The theme for this year's International Woman’s Day is #BreakTheBias.
The Malaysian government has incorporated the sustainable development goals (SDGs) into its 12th Malaysia Plan and SDG No 5 on gender equality is one of its main goals.
Indeed, the contribution of women in various sectors in Malaysia can no longer be underestimated.
Malaysian women have time and time again proven to be equally capable (and at some point, even better) in handling and managing crucial tasks and duties when compared to their counterparts.
It is not only timely for biases against women to be broken down but it's a necessity for our nation to grow.
We need to break the biases.
The first bias is that gender equality and non-discrimination must be understood as a necessary step to seek justice and fair treatment for all.
Women and men have differences and this includes their challenges in life. For example, a gender-neutral law to grant land titles to all may discriminate against women landowners if they are unable to fill up forms if they cannot read and write.
As a result that right to own gets passed on to their male kins. Or when we put pressure on men to "man up" as bread earners and protectors - but if they face low wages, they will let out their frustrations on their wife and children.
Reframing policies and societal behaviours to recognise these differences will create better opportunities for women and men to have healthier roles and relationships.
The second bias is really our laws that still discriminate against women. A stark example is the non-conferment of citizenship by Malaysian women. The logic for such a provision is unbelievable.
Yet, the government refused to budge to make amendments to our Constitution to empower women with the same right as Malaysian men.
Other biases include not recognising aggravating/qualifying circumstances such as gang rape, rape of a mentally challenged person or even rape committed by persons of public authority and many other circumstances. Not recognising these special circumstances fail to give comprehensive protection to the victims.
Child marriages continue to be ignored
The unilateral conversion, mostly committed by husbands, into another religion and therefore leaves the mother with no legal avenues or protection is no longer a personal matter but a national responsibility of the government to ensure justice is delivered.
Laws have not also taken care of child marriages; no insurance schemes for pregnancy; wage differentials and many more. Without fair and just laws, discrimination will continue.
The third bias is our societal portrayal of women. Media and education can play a major role to reframe women into more empowering images to truly reflect the worth of women, young girls and boys.
The sexualisation of women, young girls and boys in advertisements or even
in books must stop as these have narrowed women into sex objects to be exploited, and as housewives and obedient individuals, to be dependent on their protectors.
Women have achieved in science, technology, medicine and many more fields in leaps and bounds and yet in the domestic space, they are still treated as subservient objects and, if necessary, to be beaten into shape when they don't yield.
The fourth bias is the representation of women in decision-making processes. After the 14th general election in 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government rolled out numerous plans and initiatives to empower as well as to strategically place women into crucial positions and roles in society.
The fact that Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was then chosen as the deputy prime minister of Malaysia is a testament to such commitment.
However, the change in the political landscape in 2020 has seen the return of the old patriarchal and conservative perspective, where women's participation in decision-making is not seen as a mainstream agenda as before.
This regressive mentality has denied many deserving women, especially the young ones, from flourishing in their respective fields.
The lack of opportunities for them to break the proverbial 'glass ceiling' and cultivate their potential have also stunted the growth of our country for the past few years.
I strongly urge the government, be it federal or state, to lead the way by appointing more deserving female candidates as chairpersons, board members, trustees, CEOs, CFOs and other important management roles in GLCs, public institutions and agencies.
The 30 percent women quota is a reasonable and easily achievable target. Political parties too must play their part in promoting more women in politics.
There are many outstanding female leaders out there ready to fill these spots.
At the end of the day, we need structural solutions to deal with societal biases towards women and men, which include strengthening our laws to deal with discrimination, having strong and brave institutions to promote and protect gender equality and non-discrimination and having constant and systematic education to change the mindset.
I am committed to implementing change for the betterment of our society, and there is nothing more apt than to spearhead gender equality and non-discrimination actions to change how we view and value women and men in society. - Mkini
MARIA CHIN ABDULLAH is the MP for Petaling Jaya.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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