{"id":35966,"date":"2012-11-06T06:06:10","date_gmt":"2012-11-05T22:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/?p=35966"},"modified":"2012-11-06T06:06:10","modified_gmt":"2012-11-05T22:06:10","slug":"make-way-for-the-pakatan-women-kasthuri-patto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/make-way-for-the-pakatan-women-kasthuri-patto\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Way for the Pakatan Women – Kasthuri Patto"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIs Najib still living in the Dark Ages? This statement certainly spells it. Come to think of it, he should fire himself over that sexist, vulgar statement.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Looking Beyond Beauty<\/strong><\/p>\n

We asked Kasthuri if people took her seriously, being young and female. She admitted that it can be challenging at times when voicing out opinions among men.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what the term \u2018survival of the fittest\u2019 truly means. But the art is in how a particular message is conveyed, and you need to adjust immediately judging by your audience. Of course, substance is key in any message.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNowadays, a woman is respected for her contribution and principles, for her struggles, hopes and dreams, and not just admired for her beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this age where people are becoming more politically literate, a women is looked as as an equal to a male, if not better. In true fashion of a Malaysian Malaysia, we are surrounded by strong women from different backgrounds who have a common vision: women\u2019s empowerment on the political platform in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

On joining politics
\n<\/strong>Kasturi admits that politics in general has often been perceived as a \u2018big boy\u2019s game on big boy\u2019s turf\u2019. It is supposedly boring, dangerous, far too serious for women to comprehend. Hence many women shy away from it. But Kasthuri never hesitated to get involved, due to strong family support \u2013 both her late father and mother are DAP stalwarts.<\/p>\n

Culturally, women were expected to confine themselves to the kitchen or the home. History records instances of women breaking the mold of conformity and daring to take office and rule. They have been queens, regents and consorts, others carved their name as physicians, scientists and other ground breaking professions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was once said by Louisa May Alcott (an American writer) that \u2018it is poor logic to say that because women are good, women should vote. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country\u2019.<\/p>\n

This quote aptly describes the urgent need to uphold women\u2019s rights in any society.\u201d<\/p>\n

The best of both worlds
\n<\/strong>Speaking about the challenges of working mothers, Kasthuri highlighted the challenge of juggling work and family.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth need your constant attention, commitment and care. It\u2019s not a walk in the park, but it\u2019s not impossible when paired with a supportive family.\u201d said the former microbiologist.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that more than half of female graduates from institutes of higher learning are females, less than half end up in the workforce. With a choking economy looming, where a \u2018double job, double income\u2019 by husband and wife could help in making ends meet, some women don\u2019t have that kind of liberty to do so.<\/p>\n

How can a society truly evolve and call itself a mature developed society if it cannot respect and view woman as a crucial part of the exponential growth in a society, both socially and economically?<\/p>\n

In a not so ideal society, there are plenty of women who single-handedly raise a family while juggling work. Sometimes it is a case of a deceased spouse, a missing spouse, an abusive spouse or an immobile spouse. These women have risen above the storm and emerged as survivors.<\/p>\n

Rising above the tide
\n<\/strong>Modern day Malaysia is peppered with remarkable women leaders who persevere and endure through everyday obstacles they face in their struggle to uphold what they feel so passionately about and in what they believe in \u2013 Women\u2019s Empowerment.<\/p>\n

From NGO leaders such as Irene Fernandez and Ambiga Sreenivasan, to local council Presidents of the Penang Municipal Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (Patahiyah Ismail and Maimunah Mohd Shariff, respectively), Malaysian women have held high positions in civil society and government.<\/p>\n

Kasthuri points out that PKR is helmed by a woman- Dr Wan Azizah. \u201cPR have shown who\u2019s the boss in terms of gender issues. BN has no idea about women\u2019s rights, let alone champion them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, PR led state governments have initiated policies to boost women\u2019s economic participation and welfare.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith vocal men and women leaders on the state and national front to bring forth better rakyat-friendly policies, PR will continue to show that they deserve to be in Putrajaya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can PR do better for women?
\n<\/strong>Looking at the efforts that have been made since 2008 and the seriousness of the PR coalition towards women\u2019s issues, Kasthuri thinks so.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the key words here are \u2018education\u2019, \u2018opportunity\u2019, and not \u2018hand-held assistance\u2019. When there is awareness of empowerment, and equal opportunity for setting up a business, for example, it becomes more realistic and within reach,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

This indirectly gives courage and strength to women to venture out into the business world. As outlined in PR\u2019s Malaysian Women Agenda, job openings or business opportunities must be created for women to survive and flourish in the economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe person constantly must appear on the radar of the government so that they are not left alone in shark infested waters,\u201d says the thirty-two year old.<\/p>\n

Kasthuri, who currently works with the Bukit Gasing State Assemblyman\u2019s service centre,\u00a0 suggests that the state carry out a census to target middle to lower income groups. This is in order to create outreach programmes to reach out to needy groups and empower them with dignity and respect, a source of income and independence.<\/p>\n

On PR\u2019s Women Agenda
\n<\/strong>PR women\u2019s agenda aims to introduce an equal pay scale, gender responsive budgeting, Women Provident Fund of RM50 per month, micro credit schemes and training to uplift the dignity of women and mainstream women\u2019s issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen women know that their voices are heard, their opinions are taken seriously, a certain pride and self respect would automatically develop within them. This empowers them,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen women know that the government is serious in addressing the issue of gender equality, women will begin to stand up for what they think is right and wrong. Naturally, mainstream women\u2019s issues will be highlighted and addressed,\u201d Kasthuri adds.<\/p>\n

These issues include stepping up legal protection for women and enforcement of existing laws. Kasthuri highlights the importance of gender sensitivity when handling cases of violation against women. Procedures should reduce red tape that will only add to the agony of the victim.<\/p>\n

\u201cHospitals and m edical establishments must give equal importance to psychological trauma and shame, and not just focus on the physical trauma of the victims. A mature society must be the pillar of strength for victims of domestic violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rights or Equality?
\n<\/strong>We asked Kasthuri whether there was a contradiction between women\u2019s rights and equality between the sexes. She told me that even if equality between the sexes is instilled as a culture, it does not mean that women\u2019s rights will be upheld.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just means that women will be treated as equals, without prejudice. Therefore the need for women\u2019s rights is still vital and will be the first step in a more holistic intensification and development of a nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

When women are judged and evaluated based on credentials and not on gender, Malaysia can hold her head high as a country that gives equal place for men and women under the sun.<\/p>\n

Hopes for GE13<\/strong>
\nWomen, like other concerned patriotic Malaysians, want a better Malaysia. A Malaysia where they are able to dream of a better future for their children. Where their children can hope for a better life. \u00a0A safer and more secure Malaysia.<\/p>\n

A Malaysia that is not only rich in its natural resources, in its culture and in its heritage, but a politically mature Malaysia that sows the seeds of democracy, justice and freedom to prevail.<\/p>\n

As a woman I yearn to bring about change in the mindsets of the different cultures in the different layers of society that there is no such thing as a \u2018man\u2019s world anymore\u2019. It is our world now and we all have an equal role to play in it. It boils down to how and what we make of it.<\/p>\n

Through education and social awareness, I aspire to serve women, men and Malaysians in my full ability to bring a better change to society and the nation in the struggle for a Malaysian Malaysia. – The Rocket<\/p>\n

* This is Part 2 of the series. View Part 1 on Yeo Bee Yin here<\/a> and Part 3 on Suki Wong here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cIs Najib still living in the Dark Ages? This statement certainly spells it. Come to think of it, he should fire himself over that sexist, vulgar statement.\u201d Looking Beyond Beauty We asked Kasthuri if people took her seriously, being young and female. She admitted that it can be challenging at times when voicing out opinions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35967,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[228],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-35966","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-interviews"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35966\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dapmalaysia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}