Home Civil Society Voices Malaysia dipuji atas kemajuan hak wanita (Malay/English)

Malaysia dipuji atas kemajuan hak wanita (Malay/English)

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[ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Suahakm telah diwakili oleh pesuruhjaya Prof Noor Aziah Mohd Awal pada sesi ke-88 pendengaran jawatankuasa Cedaw  di Geneva mengenai penghapusan diskriminasi terhadap wanita.

Jawatankuasa Cedaw adalah sebuah badan bebas yang memantau pelaksanaan konvensyen mengenai penghapusan segala bentuk diskriminasi terhadap wanita.

Triti undang-undang -undang antarabangsa untuk wanita ini telah diterima pakai oleh Perhimpunan Agung PBB pada tahun 1979 dan mula berkuat kuasa pada tahun 1981.

Malaysia meratifikasi konvensyen itu pada tahun 1995 dan sebagai negara pihak, prestasinya akan dinilai semula oleh PBB setiap empat tahun.

Suhakam memuji kerajaan Malaysia menghantar delegasi yang diketuai oleh Menteri Wanita, Keluarga dan Pembangunan Masyarakat, Nancy Shukri, dengan diiringi oleh pegawai kanan kementerian.

Jawatankuasa menzahirkan penghargaan mereka atas kehadiran menteri dan mengambil maklum perkembangan undang-undang dan cadangan pindaan kepada Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang dibentangkan, termasuk perkembangan positif iaitu penggubalan Akta Anti Gangguan Seksual 2022, pindaan Akta Kerja (Pindaan) 2022 dan pengenalan Undang-Undang Menghendap (anti-stalking) dalam Kanun Keseksaan.

Kerajaan mengakui akan cabaran yang berterusan, terutamanya keperluan untuk perwakilan wanita yang lebih baik di Parlimen.

Suhakam telah diberikan lima minit untuk menyampaikan kenyataan intervensi pada sesi pendengaran dan mengakui langkah-langkah positif yang diambil oleh Malaysia untuk pematuhan konvensyen tersebut.

Semasa sesi perbincangan, jawatankuasa mengajukan beberapa soalan, termasuk reservasi Malaysia pada Artikel 9(2) dan 16(1)(a), (c), (f), dan (g) Cedaw serta status pengesahan protokol pilihan CEDAW.

Antara isu lain yang dibincangkan termasuk penyelarasan undang-undang Syariah dan sivil, keberkesanan Akta Keganasan Rumah Tangga, langkah-langkah yang diambil untuk mengurangkan tanpa kewarganegaraab dalam kalangan wanita, penyahjenayahan luar nikah yang dicadangkan kepada Akta Pendidikan, pengenalan bahasa Orang Asal/Asli sebagai bahasa pengantar di sekolah, khidmat penjagaan yang tidak dibayar, kesan perubahan iklim, dan kebajikan banduan akhir wanita.

Jawatankuasa menekankan bahawa kerajaan harus memberi tumpuan kepada dasar dan undang-undang yang akan memberi manfaat kepada semua wanita, terutamanya mereka daripada golongan rentan.

Sebelum prosiding rasmi dijalankan, pada 20 Mei, Suhakam telah mengemukakan kenyataan terperinci dalam sesi tidak rasmi dengan jawatankuasa.

Antara isu yang diketengahkan oleh Suhakam adalah isu kewarganegaraan, khitan kanak-kanak perempuan, perkahwinan kanak-kanak dan gangguan seksual.

Suhakam menggesa Malaysia untuk melibatkan pihak berkepentingan secara berkala untuk mengenal pasti kekurangan dan mencadangkan langkah-langkah ke hadapan untuk mengatasi reservasi yang masih ada.

Suhakam memuji komitmen oleh kerajaan Malaysia terhadap proses pelaporan Cedaw dan berharap cadangan jawatankuasa ini akan bertindak sebagai pemangkin dalam memajukan lagi hak wanita dan agenda hak asasi manusia yang lebih meluas di Malaysia.

English version

Malaysia commits to enhancing gender rights and equality under Cedaw

Suhakam was represented by commissioner Prof Noor Aziah Mohd Awal during the recent 88th session of the Cedaw committee hearing in Geneva on the elimination of discrimination against women.

The committee on Cedaw, a body of independent experts, monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Cedaw, an international bill of rights for women, was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and came into force in 1981. Malaysia ratified the convention in 1995 and, as a signatory, is reviewed by the UN every four years.

Suhakam commends the Malaysian government for sending a high-level delegation headed by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri, along with senior officers of the ministry.

The presence of the minister was noted by the committee, which expressed their elation at such a high-level presence. The committee took note of developments in areas of equal recognition through laws and proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution.

Positive developments include the enactment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, amendments to the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022, and the introduction of anti-stalking laws in the Penal Code.

However, the government acknowledged ongoing challenges, notably the need for better representation of women in Parliament.

Suhakam attended and was allowed a five-minute intervention at the committee hearing and acknowledged the positive steps taken by Malaysia towards compliance with the convention.

During the formal discussions, the committee raised several questions, including Malaysia’s reservations on Articles 9(2) and 16(1)(a), (c), (f), and (g) of Cedaw and the status of the ratification of the optional protocol of Cedaw.

Other issues discussed included the harmonisation of Sharia and civil laws, the effectiveness of the Domestic Violence Act, measures taken to reduce statelessness among women, the criminalisation of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, proposed amendments to the Education Act, the introduction of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in schools, unpaid care work, the impact of climate change, and the plight of women on death row.

The committee stressed that the government should focus on policies and laws that will benefit all women, particularly those from the most marginalised communities.

Prior to the formal proceedings, on 20 May, Suhakam presented a detailed statement in an informal session with the committee. Among the issues highlighted by Suhakam were citizenship issues, female genital mutilation, child marriage and sexual harassment.

Suhakam urges Malaysia to engage with all Malaysian stakeholders on a regular basis to identify areas of shortcomings and propose steps to address existing reservations.

Suhakam commends the commitment made by the Malaysian government to the Cedaw reporting process and is hopeful that the committee’s recommendations will act as a catalyst in further advancing women’s rights and the broader human rights agenda in Malaysia. – Suhakam

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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