On International Women’s Day, MWAW took a closer look at the rights that Malaysian women have. And especially with the newly minted Cabinet's decision to amend the Federal Constitution regarding automatic citizenship of children born to Malaysian women giving birth abroad, it is indeed refreshing to see we are making advances to women’s rights, however, we are far from perfect we still have rampant domestic abuse and all sorts of injustices meted out to women just for being a woman.
The recent case of well-known personalities hitting their ex-wives certainly doesn’t bode well. Far too many instances of domestic abuse are recurrent so laws should be relooked at with a finer eye to strengthening the laws.
Women's Rights In Malaysia
Malaysian women have a variety of rights, including:
1. Education: Women have the right to education and can attend school, university, and other educational institutions.
2. Political rights: Women have the right to vote and participate in political life, and there have been efforts in recent years to increase women's representation in politics.
3. Workplace rights: Women have the right to work and be protected from workplace discrimination. Malaysia has ratified several international agreements aimed at promoting gender equality in the workplace.
4. Reproductive rights: Women have the right to access reproductive healthcare and make decisions about their own bodies and fertility.
5. Property rights: Women have the right to own property and inherit from their families.
6. Legal protections: Women have the right to seek legal protection against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and other forms of violence and discrimination.
However, despite these legal protections, women in Malaysia still face challenges, including discrimination, gender-based violence, and limited opportunities for career advancement. Efforts are being made to address these issues and promote gender equality in Malaysia.
What are the hurdles Malaysian women face
Malaysian women face a range of hurdles, including:
1. Discrimination: Women in Malaysia still face discrimination in many areas of life, including education, employment, and the political arena.
2. Gender-based violence: Women in Malaysia are vulnerable to gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment.
3. Economic inequality: Women in Malaysia often face economic inequality, with limited access to opportunities for career advancement and financial independence.
4. Lack of representation: Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in government, business, and other sectors, which limits their ability to influence decision-making and shape policy.
5. Social attitudes: Traditional attitudes and beliefs about gender roles can limit women's opportunities and perpetuate gender inequality.
6. Inadequate legal protections: Women may not have adequate legal protections against violence and discrimination, and the enforcement of existing laws may be weak.
7. Reproductive rights: Women in Malaysia may face obstacles in accessing reproductive healthcare, including contraception and safe abortion.
These hurdles can have serious consequences for the lives of women in Malaysia and undermine their ability to participate fully in society. Addressing these challenges and promoting gender equality will require a sustained and comprehensive effort from the government, civil society, and the private sector.
How to improve Malaysian women's rights
There are several ways to improve women's rights in Malaysia:
1. Implement and enforce laws and policies: Laws and policies aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights must be implemented and enforced effectively. This includes strengthening legal protections against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and other forms of gender-based violence.
2. Increase women's representation in decision-making positions: Increasing the number of women in leadership positions in government, business, and other sectors can help ensure that women's voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
3. Promote gender sensitivity and equality in education: Providing education that promotes gender sensitivity and equality can help to change attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate gender inequality.
4. Address cultural norms and attitudes: Addressing cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination is crucial for improving women's rights in Malaysia. This may involve public education campaigns, community-based initiatives, and media engagement.
5. Address economic inequality: Economic inequality is a major factor that contributes to women's vulnerability and the denial of their rights. Providing women with access to economic resources and opportunities can help improve their situation and empower them to claim their rights.
6. Engage with civil society: Working with civil society organizations and activists can help to ensure that women's rights are a priority and that progress is being made to improve the situation of women in Malaysia.
Improving women's rights in Malaysia will require a sustained and comprehensive effort that involves the government, civil society, and the private sector.
Malaysia as a patriarchal society
Malaysia is generally considered to be a patriarchal society, where traditional gender roles and male domination are prevalent. In a patriarchal society, men hold power and control over key institutions and decision-making processes, while women are often relegated to secondary or supportive roles.
In Malaysia, patriarchal attitudes and beliefs are often reflected in areas such as education, employment, and politics, where women may face discrimination and have limited opportunities for advancement. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment against women are also serious issues in Malaysia.
However, it is important to note that patriarchal attitudes and beliefs are not limited to Malaysia and are present in many other countries and societies around the world. In recent years, there have been efforts in Malaysia and elsewhere to challenge patriarchal structures and promote gender equality, but significant progress is still needed to achieve full equality for women.