Set timeline for Gender Equality Act: WAO

PETALING JAYA: The government must set a timeline for the Gender Equality Act to show firm commitment in enacting the law.
Stating this, Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) vice-president Meera Samanther pointed out that women in the private sector will continue to suffer in silence due to the delay in enacting the law.
"Malaysian women have waited for 12 years – and we will wait no longer. Now's the time for us to act – to act for gender equality and protect the many women who have suffered all these years," she said in a statement to the media.
She noted that Malaysia had signed the 'Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1995.
"What is the point of signing the Convention, but not incorporating it into Malaysian law to protect women?" she said.
In November 2016, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said in Parliament that her ministry is working on a Gender Equality Act.
"WAO and the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) have been working with the government to draft the Gender Equality Act.
"We now want to know what are the next steps – and when will it happen," she said.
Stating that Malaysia has an international obligation to enact the law, she said the law is key to fulfilling gender equality in Malaysia.
Meera said the United Nations CEDAW Committee had back in 2006 urged Malaysia to enact the law.
"The government must set a timeline for tabling the Gender Equality Act in Parliament. We want a firm commitment and not just mere words," Meera said.
She said when women get discriminated at work, they have few or no options for redress at all.
"Many suffer in silence, leave their jobs, or are told to leave. The Gender Equality Act would change this.
"The act should not only prohibit gender discrimination, but also ensure that women who experience discrimination can easily get justice – without having to go through a lengthy, tiring, and costly process," she said
WAO recently launched the 'Invisible Women' campaign, calling on the public to speak up against gender discrimination and support the Gender Equality Act.
The 'Invisible Women' art exhibition, which highlights women's stories of gender discrimination, will run from 8-18 March 2018, 10am - 10pm, at the White Box Theatre, Publika.
Visit invisiblewomen.com.my for more information.