Walking for women’s rights

An energetic and passionate crowd marches for a better world for women

A 300 strong crowd marched through Petaling Street, voicing out the challenges faced by women in Malaysia chanting the words ‘Bebas Wanita’ and ‘Hak Sama’ during the “Walk and Rawk for Change” on March 26.

Participants marched a distance of 1.5km from Central Market Kuala Lumpur to the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall with the aid of police personnel.

“We are walking because the abuse on foreign women workers is increasing,” said EMPOWER Executive Director Maria Chin Abdullah.

“The minimum wage of women in the country has not been established. This is evident towards women who work in the orchards and in the informal sectors as they earn well below the poverty line.

“What's more, the Federal Constitution and Supreme Law of the Land have clauses which continue to discriminate against women. Amendments to the Islamic Family Law Act have also diminished the rights of Muslim women,” added Maria.

Selangor State Exco member Ronnie Liew who was there to support the cause said a bigger representation of women in politics would help nation building and highlight more women rights issues in parliament.

For the past 20 years, women who engaged in politics account for less than 10 per cent.

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) President Meera Samather echoed Liew’s thoughts and said an increase in women’s participation in the political arena would be a stepping-stone for the unheard voices of women to finally be heard in a legislative assembly where key changes could be made.

“While women’s group in other nations like India are active due to hardship and the lack of basic necessities, we should not compare our situation with them but instead strive to achieve the best possible results for women in this country,” added Meera.

Marketing and Communications Director of Carrefour Malaysia-Singapore Low Ngai Yuen who brought her three children with her for the walk said, “It is never too early to educate our children in advocating women’s rights.”

Azril Khalid who works with the United Nations said he came to support the walk, as it involved a gender biased issue that should not exist for a developing nation like Malaysia.

Organisers of the event include EMPOWER, WAO, Sisters in Islam, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT), Suara Rakyat (SUARAM), Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor and All Women’s Action Society.

Other issues and statistics of concern.

• Approximately 10 women report physical, emotional and sexual abuse every day.
• Four women are raped in Malaysia daily on average.
• Amendments to the Employment Act have removed work security and eroded the rights for women at their work places.
• Foreign wives with more than 10 years of residency are still denied permanent resident status.

(By Thomas Yap)