Ministry focusing on Sexual Harassment Bill this year

PUTRAJAYA: The introduction of a sexual harassment law and recognising social work as a profession will be among priorities of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the Sexual Harassment Bill, which aims to protect women’s rights and dignity, is part of the promises by Pakatan Harapan in its election manifesto.

It is expected to be tabled in Parliament in March, she said.

She said the draft of the Bill includes comprehensive definition of sexual harassment, more effective complaint and solution mechanisms, remedies and penalties.

“Currently, there are constraints in existing laws, such as the Employment Act 1955 and the Penal Code.

“For example, the Penal Code does not define sexual harassment in detail and also places the burden of proof on victims to prove beyond reasonable doubt is very difficult in most sexual harassment cases, ” she added.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said this in a special interview with Bernama and RTM on the ministry’s direction at her office here.

She said the Bill on sexual harassment will also be applicable to men as they could also be a victim.

Dr Wan Azizah said the Bill on sexual harassment was formulated from input provided by stakeholders, who also suggested improvements to the existing judicial system through the establishment of a tribunal, specifically to hear and address cases of sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, she said her ministry, through the Malaysian Social Work Profession Council, has formulated a Bill to recognise social work as a profession.

“The Malaysian Social Work Profession Council’s function is to regulate social work as a profession through registration and certification of practices by registered social workers, to set social work standards and education, to promote professional development and to enhance the image of the social work profession in Malaysia, ” she added.

She said the draft of the Bill was now in the final stage at the ministry and would then be submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers.

In another development, the deputy prime minister said her ministry would be launching a special Talian Kasih via WhatsApp, especially for the mute or those with speech impairment.

It is also a cheaper option than phone calls, she said, adding that so far only Digi provided free calls to Talian Kasih at 15999.

She said the Talian Kasin centre received a total of 25,868 calls last year, an increase of 40%, compared with 15,046 calls in 2018.

This shows the people are more aware of the services, she added. — Bernama