“He For She” is a worldwide campaign launched by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as U.N. Women, with an aim to promote gender equality by encouraging men to openly speak out against sexism in solidarity with the women’s rights movement.
As at today, the website of “He For She” accrued 953 signatures from male supporters to combat gender inequality in Malaysia. We would now like to make use of this opportunity to seek cooperation and support from our male counterpart in Parliament to push for some long-delayed reforms: –
- Amend Schedule II of the Federal Constitution to allow women to confer citizenship status on their children even when the child is born outside of Malaysia.
- Ban child marriage.
- Introduce legislation on gender equality.
In 2001, the Federal Constitution was amended to prohibit gender discrimination. However, no attempt had been made to audit the laws in Malaysia to ensure that they are non-discriminatory towards women.
Constitution as the highest law in Malaysia should not have any form of discrimination against women. As such, Schedule II needs to be amended soonest possible to grant equal right to Malaysian women who give birth at overseas.
Currently, the legal age for marriage for non-Muslims is 18. However, marriages are allowed for those between 16 and 18 with written consent from the chief minister.
For Muslims, the legal age of marriage for males is 18 and females, 16. With the permission of the syariah court, however, Muslims can marry at any age.
Not only our Government has removed its reservation to Article 16(2) of CEDAW, we have also adopted a United Nations resolution to end child, early and forced marriage at the Human Rights Council in October last year.
It is time for us to amend the laws to reflect the intent and enable the practical realization of the promises.
Gender equality legislation is imperative to further promote gender equality and to prevent gender discrimination. In considering the Malaysian Government’s report in 2006, the CEDAW Committee stressed that Malaysia needed new laws directed specifically at eliminating sex and gender discrimination. The legislation must adopt CEDAW and grant it the force of law in Malaysia. A Parliamentary Select Committee should be established to work on the contents of the Gender Equality Bill.
Gender inequality is a human issue and is above politics. In order to end persistent inequalities faced by women and girls in Malaysia, it is imperative to put men at the center of activism and dialogue. Out of 222 elected Members of Parliament, 199 are male. We need the support from our male counterparts, or it will be impossible to pass any amendments bill or new act in Parliament to improve the position of women in Malaysia.