Sexual harassment in whatever form must stop and other than punitive measures, we must work towards prevention and awareness in society.
OUR Parliament is still a male domain, perhaps even the last bastion of “maleness” while the world outside has changed dramatically. It is no surprise that misogyny still reigns high and mighty. Hardly 11% of our representatives are women.
As evident in the debate to pass the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, there are still those who believe it is their birthright to utter obscene words and hoping to get away with it. One word in particular allegedly uttered by a Member of Parliament is the worst expletive in the Malay language, one concerning one mother’s private part.
Unsurprisingly, the Speaker took days to decide on the action and when finally meted, it is merely a slap on the wrist. That incident underpins the need for parliamentarians to walk the talk. Good behaviour begins with them. It is frivolous to pass a law when even lawmakers are not respecting the spirit of the Bill.
It was a day of infamy for our Parliament. And sadder still because other women members did not raise a voice to show displeasure when fellow members were verbally abused. The last time I checked, verbal abuse is also sexual harassment. I seriously think that conduct unbecoming of any parliamentarian when it comes to spurting sexist and insulting words is a concern for all, regardless of which side of the political aisle they belong to.
What is important is that the Bill (known as Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 or AGS 2021) has been passed. It is a historic move. The government has taken the right step in pushing for the Bill for we do not have dedicated laws on sexual harassment. It is a legislation that we hope to eradicate discrimination based on gender. The Bill is not meant just for women for sexual harassment is gender blind.
There will be a 12-member Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to be set up. The Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Rina Harun, has promised the tribunal will be in place in a year’s time. While many questioned why it would take so long to set up one, others have doubts about its effectiveness. To be fair, this is the first kilometre on the road to zero tolerance towards sexual harassment. There is also the role of NGOs in advocating the cause. It is not easy in patriarchal Malaysia.
For far too long, women especially have to live with sexual harassment in various forms – verbal, visual and physical. There are predators everywhere. Lewd jokes and sexually offensive comments are made openly to denigrate the other sex. There are perverts making inappropriate gestures and groping or touching women in tight places like public transport. There is coercion of sex or sex acts and in the new world of social media, even sharing of pornography with nefarious intent. The world of the old must change. Respect is key. Sexual harassment has happened everywhere, even in workplaces.
There is always a danger that the Bill will be abused by some. It is easy to defame others by making unsubstantiated allegations. It might open a floodgate of accusers and defamers. It can be a weaponised tool for shaming. Reputations will be destroyed.
The #MeToo movement in the United States was propelled by women victimised by largely powerful and well-connected men. Since many of the alleged perpetrators are well-known men in the entertainment industry, we have seen many of them fall from grace. It wasn’t easy for women in the industry to speak up against the likes of Harvey Weinstein, one of Hollywood’s most successful film producers, but many did.
The work of investigative reporter Ronan Farrow helped expose the shenanigans in Hollywood. His book, Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators is a shocker. Farrow is the son of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow. Allen was embroiled in sexual abuse allegation involving Mia’s daughter, Dylan.
Some believe that the outcome of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial spells the demise of the #MeToo movement. It is a setback for domestic violence victims and a victory for abusers. The case will put a halt for victims to speak up. I beg to differ. Had Heard been more credible, the outcome would have been different.
Sexual harassment in whatever form must stop. Other than punitive measures, we must work towards prevention and awareness in society. We must ensure the right for everyone to feel safe.
I wish the Bill will punish even lawmakers if they continue to be perennial verbal sexual harassers outside the privileged domain of the august Dewan Rakyat.
Johan Jaaffar was a journalist, editor and for some years chairman of a media company, and is passionate about all things literature and the arts. And a diehard rugby fan. The views expressed here are entirely his own.