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Women’s ability and pregnancy: Hadi needs to change his views with time   Press Statement by Chong Eng (Petaling Jaya, Friday): Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was reported by the press as saying that women were more suited to work in the educational and welfare sectors. He was of the view that women are not suited to hold jobs that pose a threat to them or are too stressful, which would affect their role in the family.  Hadi justified his view by saying that women by nature had to go through menstruation cycles and pregnancy, which he believed would affect their ability to withstand pressure. While menstruation and pregnancy are biological facts of a woman’s life, the argument that their ability would be affected by their biological function is more a perception than a fact.   Many women had proven their ability to perform under pressure and this can be seen by many single mothers who successfully raised their children single-handedly.   While the responsibilities involved in certain jobs are heavier than that in others, job-related stress is actually a subjective matter, depending on the individual. For example, a female factory worker who has to work standing up all day for eight hours would feel as much stress as a woman minister like Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz or a Mentri Besar like Hadi.   Ability to withstand pressure and stress is more an acquired strength than something inborn. It is not gender related. Women in general are able to endure more pain and are more patient as they are forced to go through the ordeal of pregnancy.   Many women had proven their ability when given the opportunity. The current governor of Bank Negara Datuk Zeti, Rafidah, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo and former US state secretary Medaline Albright are some examples.   The Quran too extols the leadership of Bliqus, the Queen of Sheba for her ability to fulfill the requirements of her office, her political skills and independent judgement. Siti Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet Mohamad, was a successful trader. Aisyah Siddiga, another wife of the Prophet, was a warrior who led a Muslim army into battle.   All these show that women have equal potential as men. Although they might be burdened with procreational duties, many of them are still able to excel in other sectors. Many fields are traditionally dominated by men not because women are less capable but because the latter had been oppressed socially and culturally for many centuries, partly due to the stereotyped perception of their limited role in reproduction and upbringing of the family.   In this modern era of knowledge and economy, the country needs a talented workforce, regardless of gender. While it is not disputed that pregnant women are not suitable to perform certain tasks, which include sitting in front of the computer for long periods and coming into contact with dangerous chemicals, what a political leader like Hadi should propose is to look into measures that would protect pregnant women from occupational hazards, and not to prevent them from holding certain positions.   Preventing women from holding certain positions just because they are women is tantamount to gender discrimination, which violates Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution.   DAP hopes that Hadi and other political leaders who have such regressive views should work towards a better understanding of women issues and gender analysis. Their outdated mindset must change with time.   Instead of asking women to work only in certain professions because their role in reproduction and the family, we demand that political decision-makers formulate measures and policies that would help women to overcome disadvantages due to menstruation and pregnancy. State subsidized maternity leave and child care facilities are two examples.   Hadi and other political leaders should encourage men to change their attitude in accordance with the times. Of course change of attitude must first begin with them. They must not expect women to do all the housework and take care of children all on their own when many of them are also joint income-earners for the family. They should encourage fathers to share the responsibility of bringing up children and maintaining a harmonious household. This would greatly reduce the stress of working mothers and in the long run, help ensure greater gender equality.  (8/8/2003) * Chong Eng, MP for Bukit Mertajam and DAP Wanita Chairperson