KUALA LUMPUR: Ten aspects of reform are needed to accelerate gender equality this International Women's Day, says Wanita MCA.
Its chief, Datuk Wong You Fong, said that gender inequality and unfair treatment still exist in many areas, continuing to hinder the development of women’s rights.
"Since our nation’s independence, the women of Malaysia have faced many challenges and struggles to achieve equal treatment," she said during a press conference held on March 8 (Saturday).
She highlighted ten key demands to accelerate gender equality and legal reforms to ensure that Malaysian women are not denied their basic rights.
The demands are to end unilateral conversion of children, pass the Anti-Discrimination Against Women Bill, revamp the sex offender’s registry, criminalise marital rape, and end child marriage, she said.
She also called to revamp mechanisms to enforce Maintenance Orders, increase access to affordable and quality childcare, increase political participation of women, pass the Social Work Profession Bill, and strengthen laws on gender-based violence.
The theme for this year, she said, is "Accelerate Action," reflecting Wanita MCA’s aspirations to take immediate action to progress, not regress.
Wong also highlighted examples of inequality for women, as many victims of sexual harassment remain silent, ashamed, or afraid to speak up.
She said this indicates the country’s weakness in protecting women’s rights even after 30 years of signing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).
She added that as marital rape is still not criminalised, hence husbands who rape their wives would escape punishment, unlike others who are convicted of rape would be punished
“This, and other issues, need to be addressed immediately,” she said.
Wanita MCA also launched a petition to create awareness about discrimination and unfair treatment towards women in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Malaysia’s signing of Cedaw.
