First Step Must Be To Protect Women Children


 

From Yu Ren-Chung
We’re midway through 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – a global campaign that runs between Nov 25 and Dec 10 every year.
According to the United Nations, statistics show that worldwide, almost one-in-three women have faced gender-based violence.
If you think this is high, Malaysia is not that different. For example, researchers estimate that between 5%-36% of women in Malaysia have faced intimate partner violence (which is just one form of gender-based violence).
So, this is my advice to the new women, family and community development minister, Nancy Shukri.
If the minister wants to hit the ground running, she can look to the manifestos for the general election (GE15), where three commitments on ending gender-based violence were made.
The commitments are on sexual harassment, child marriage, and stalking.
This is what the minister can do right away pertaining to these three manifesto commitments.
(1) Set up an “evaluation committee” on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act.
A 2019 YouGov survey estimated that 36% of women in Malaysia have experienced sexual harassment.
To address sexual harassment, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act was passed into law this year – a bi-partisan effort initiated by the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government and concluded by the Barisan Nasional-led (BN) government.
In their manifestos for the general election (GE15), both BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) committed to implementing the Act.
However, to successfully implement the Act, several important steps must be taken.
The minister must have the “evaluation committee” – ideally comprising government, academics, civil society, and sexual harassment survivors – monitor and evaluate the implementation of the law and advise the minister on matters relating to sexual harassment.
Despite the previous government’s commitment to setting up this “evaluation committee”, it still has not been set up.
The first thing the committee could do is review the “action plan” (which has already been drafted by the government) for the Act’s implementation.
Next, the committee could start developing “guidelines” for stakeholders – employers, universities, mall operators, and so on – on addressing sexual harassment.
The Act empowers the ministry’s secretary-general to issue these guidelines.
(2) Convene a child marriage “steering committee” and form a Cabinet team to drive efforts.
More than a thousand child marriages take place in Malaysia every year.
Child marriage is treated like a “sensitive issue”, although the overwhelming majority of Malaysians reject child marriage in any form, according to a 2021 survey by the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and market research company, Ipsos.
To address child marriage, the National Strategic Plan in Handling Causes of Child Marriage was initiated by the PH government in 2020. Unfortunately, following the Sheraton Move, this strategic plan seems to have stalled.
In their manifestos, PH and Muda committed to restarting the strategic plan.
Seeing as the strategic plan is multi-faceted, and the issue is complex, this is what I believe the minister must do immediately after taking office.
Immediately convene a meeting by the “steering committee” on child marriage.
This steering committee is part of the strategic plan, and is chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general.
Additionally, Cabinet members must work together to oversee the steering committee, and drive forward the overall efforts to end child marriage.
This is crucial, as ending child marriages involves addressing issues under multiple ministries – like health, religion, children’s rights, and education – and involves both federal and state jurisdictions.
As such, any effort to end child marriages requires broad political engagement.
Alternatively, the government could appoint a suitable political leader as a “czar” to drive efforts. Dr Wan Wan Ismail – who was the women, family and community development minister when the strategic plan on child marriages was introduced – may be a suitable person.
(3) Complete the passing of the anti-stalking law in Parliament.
A 2020 study by WAO and Vase.ai estimated that 39% of women in Malaysia have experienced stalking which caused them fear.
To address stalking, an anti-stalking law was developed (through a bipartisan effort, led by WAO starting in 2018). And in October this year, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Bill.
The Bill still needs to be debated in the Dewan Negara (and may need to be debated again in the Dewan Rakyat, since there is a new government).
This Bill is under the law minister’s purview, but as stalking is a form of gender-based violence, it is something the incoming women, family and community development minister should have an interest in as well.
The government can schedule the anti-stalking Bill for tabling again in the Dewan Rakyat.
The Bill could be passed as it is, but I believe it will be better to improve it first before passing it.
The above proposals – on sexual harassment, child marriage, and stalking – are just three action items for the incoming minister, as these can be carried out right away.
There’s much more to do towards ending gender-based violence. For example, a revised Budget 2023 should include adequate funding for gender-based violence services.
As all three issues – sexual harassment, child marriage, and stalking – were part of the GE15 manifestos by the three main coalitions, taking immediate steps to implement them will show that the government keeps its promises. - FMT
Yu Ren Chung is Women’s Aid Organisation deputy executive director and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2022/12/first-step-must-be-to-protect-women.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Anwar Must Be Given First Bite Of The Cherry

Anwar Must Be Given First Bite Of The Cherry

papar berkaitan - pada 21/11/2022 - jumlah : 274 hits
As the leader of the coalition with the most number of seats Anwar Ibrahim must be given the first chance to form a government and enough time to carry out proper negotiations This is by convention It is only if he fails that the leader of ...
Anwar Must Now Step Up And Prove His Worth

Anwar Must Now Step Up And Prove His Worth

papar berkaitan - pada 26/11/2022 - jumlah : 210 hits
Congratulations to Anwar Ibrahim on being appointed prime minister As the English saying goes every dog has its day meaning everyone will be successful or lucky at some point in their life It s fitting that former prime minister Dr Mahathir...
Political Financing Bill Must Protect Donors Says Wan Saiful

Political Financing Bill Must Protect Donors Says Wan Saiful

papar berkaitan - pada 9/12/2022 - jumlah : 151 hits
Wan Saiful Wan Jan said political donors must not be victimised for supporting the parties of their choice PETALING JAYA Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan says that the much awaited political financing bill must protect donors fr...
In Malaysian First Two Women Take Charge Of Education Ministry

In Malaysian First Two Women Take Charge Of Education Ministry

papar berkaitan - pada 10/12/2022 - jumlah : 247 hits
The education ministry is headed by Fadhlina Sidek of PKR with Lim Hui Ying of DAP as her deputy PETALING JAYA Anwar Ibrahim s unity government has made history by appointing two women MPs to take charge of the education ministry The minist...
Pas President Appears To Concede But Insists Pm Anwar Must Prove True Level Of Support

Pas President Appears To Concede But Insists Pm Anwar Must Prove True Level Of Support

papar berkaitan - pada 25/11/2022 - jumlah : 224 hits
In a Facebook post published shortly after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave his first press conference as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the important thing was that PAS had remained steadfast and true to its...
Kj Must Be Bn S Negeri Sembilan Mb Candidate Says Puad

Kj Must Be Bn S Negeri Sembilan Mb Candidate Says Puad

papar berkaitan - pada 21/11/2022 - jumlah : 176 hits
Khairy Jamaluddin made way for Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan in Rembau but lost the contest for the Sungai Buloh seat by less than 3 000 votes on Saturday PETALING JAYA Defeated Umno candidate Khairy Jamaluddin must contest for a stat...
All Umno Leaders Must Shoulder The Blame Not Just Zahid Says Bung

All Umno Leaders Must Shoulder The Blame Not Just Zahid Says Bung

papar berkaitan - pada 21/11/2022 - jumlah : 215 hits
Bung Moktar Radin said the blame must not rest squarely on Ahmad Zahid Hamidi s shoulders KUALA LUMPUR Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has come to the defence of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the wake of Barisan Nasional s disast...
Next Consumer Affairs Minister Must Champion People Not Self Says Fomca

Next Consumer Affairs Minister Must Champion People Not Self Says Fomca

papar berkaitan - pada 2/12/2022 - jumlah : 260 hits
Just carrying out checks on retail outlets is not enough says Fomca PETALING JAYA The next consumer affairs minister should learn what the people go through and not just conduct checks at retail outlets with the media in tow says the Federa...
Muhyiddin Anwar Must Provide Evidence He Has Support Of Dewan Rakyat To Be Pm

Muhyiddin Anwar Must Provide Evidence He Has Support Of Dewan Rakyat To Be Pm

papar berkaitan - pada 25/11/2022 - jumlah : 223 hits
KUALA LUMPUR Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must show that he has majority support from Ministers of Parliament says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin The Perikatan Nasional chairman added that Anwar can show that he has enough support thro...
Anwar Slams Hypocritical Criticism Over His Response To Najib S Apology

A Sucker Punch For Rm1 000 What S The Value Of Dignity In Malaysia

Sabah Air Belum Mohon Lesen Perkhidmatan Udara Kata Menteri Pengangkutan

Tan Sri Vincent Tan Dan U Mobile

Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Glass Block In Your Next Project

Malaysia Singapore To Jointly Nominate Chingay For Unesco List

Empat Sekawan Dipenjara Tiga Tahun Culik Budak Perempuan

Pengalaman Anak Kena Prolonged Jaundice


echo '';
Biodata Terkini Penyanyi Illa Sabry Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Senyawa iQIYI Malaysia

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Project Projek Exit Astro Originals

Pelajari Asal Usul Nama Makhluk Seram Kisah Fiksyen Barat Yang Terkenal

10 Fakta Filem Kahar Kapla High Council Yang Ramai Tak Tahu Prekuel Drama Project Projek High Council


Top Up Biskut Timbang

Tresna Jangan Paksa Aku Chord

Jalen Menyatukan Rasa Dan Hati Melalui Program Komuniti

Jangan Pernah Berhenti Berdoa Ya

Kemaskini Str 2025 Maklumat Yang Perlu Dikemaskini Caranya

Dream Bike Another Knockout Sportster 1200 Street Tracker By Mule