Position Paper 3: Depictions of Women and Minorities
The inequality of women and minorities is a global issue, and is prevalent in almost every country in the world. The statistics and facts representing this injustice, demonstrate battles across the world, where women and minorities fight for their rights in the workplace, healthcare, and ethical treatment.
This fight is global, but today I will be focusing on a specific country struggling with providing equality for minority groups and women.
Women in Malaysia
While Malaysia has made advancements in technology and the economy, the country remains behind in social and ethical issues.
Even after Malaysia ratified the "Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women" in 1995, the status of women in Malaysia is still limited due to religious beliefs. Since the equality of women is partially reliant on religious beliefs, many of the article of the convention have been removed because they conflict with the Malaysian Federal Constitution and Islamic Law.
The Malaysian government provides support to women, in an effort to achieve "rights to advance, to make decisions, to health, education and social welfare, and to the removal of legal obstacles". In 1997, the Malaysian government made advancements towards these goals with the establishment of the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development, which pushes for total equality in Malaysia. In 2001, the Women's Affairs Ministry was created "to recognize the roles and contributions of Malaysian women".
Restrictions of women in Malaysia rely on religious beliefs, as well as where they live in Malaysia. Their geographical location is important because of Malaysia's large ethnic diversity. Because of the vast cultures and ethic groups in the country, religious and cultural beliefs may conflict with Malaysian law. For example, Non-Muslim women and Muslim women have full parental rights, in only four states of Malaysia.
Before 2012, Malaysia did not have laws against sexual harassment. The inclusion of sexual harassment was added into a revision of the Employment Act (1955), which defined and limited sexual harassment to the workplace.
It defines sexual harassment as "any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, visual, gestural or physical, directed at a person which is offensive or humiliating or is a threat to his well-being, arising out of and in the course of his employment". The act does not distinguish between a male or female.
While sexual harassment effects both men and women, women are most commonly the victims. According to YouGov, over a "third Malaysian women have experienced sexual harassment."
Sexual harassment is still prevalent in Malaysia, in the workplace, online, and in-person encounters. Verbal comments, sexual assault, flashing, and unwanted sexualized photos are all common examples of sexual harassment many of the women in Malaysia face every day.
To help reduce sexual harassment, Malaysia installed a women-only taxi service in 2010, to create a transportation system for women to feel safe in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Sex trafficking, domestic violence, and marriage are all components of women's rights and protection in Malaysia.
Sex trafficking is defined as "the action or practice of illegally transporting people from one country or area to another for the purpose of sexual exploitation." Malaysia is a country of origin, destination, and transit for sex trafficking. The victims of sex trafficking vary in ethnic groups in Malaysia, and women and children have been trafficked into other countries of Asia. The government of Malaysia has been criticized for their involvement and efforts to stop sex trafficking in Malaysia. Though there are some anti-trafficking efforts, there is not enough protection or awareness for the cause.
Domestic violence is prevalent in Malaysia, and while there are certain protections put in place by the government, the term of domestic violence is "up for interpretation" which limits the amount of protection granted to victims.
Under the Domestic Violence Act 1994, women are able to charge their husbands for acts of abuse, such as threats or physical abuse. The charge of domestic violence is dependent on legal terms, and how it relates to marriage laws. The awareness of domestic abuse is spreading across Malaysia, gradually promoting the necessity for protection.
Women's rights are making headway in Malaysia, but there is still a long way to go. With women's organizations such as: SIS (Sisters in Islam), WAO (Woman's Aid Organization), AWAM (All Women's Action Society), and NCWO (National Council for Women's Organizations- Malaysia), there are movements headed towards bringing gender equality to Malaysia.
Malaysia is working to fill the gender gap, and this fight to ensure equality and safety to women will be hard, but worth it. Women's rights is a pressing matter and it continues to suffer from growing rates of domestic abuse, leaving young women in undesirable situations.
Closing the gender gap and providing women with their rightfully deserved rights will progress Malaysia as a developed and successful country.
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