Women’s rights: Progress or regress?

THE international community celebrates March 8 as International Women’s Day. This year, note was taken in many countries of the significant steps taken towards women’s equality and dignity and the many hurdles blocking the way.

What about Malaysia? Let it be conceded that the Federal Constitution has many gender-biased provisions. Our Constitution, like all Constitutions, was born at a time in history, hence it reflects the patriarchal values and vulnerabilities of its age. This is, of course, no excuse for resisting change or turning a blind eye to the felt necessities of the times.