As we mark International Women’s Day this year, the theme #ChooseToChallenge from the official website strikes a chord.
Indeed, “we can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively we can all help create an inclusive world.”
In Malaysia, women can vote, women can drive, women are doing well in education, women can work. The Federal Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender, and yes, at one point, for a brief period, we even had a woman deputy prime minister. Syabas, indeed!
Yet I think of the thousands of women for whom direct and indirect discrimination occurs and for whom the struggle for justice continues. In particular:
I think of the woman who waits to be reunited with her child, taken from her over 10 years ago, despite a recovery order from a high court.
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I think of the woman who waits to know the truth about her husband’s forced disappearance four years ago, allegedly by rogue state agents.
I think of the woman who was shot dead in her sleep by her angry husband a few days ago.
I think of the woman who is differently abled and her struggle for recognition and inclusion.
I think of the woman who is struggling with poverty, especially at this time of Covid-19.
I think of the trans woman who is struggling with her identity and keeping her faith.
I think of the girl child married and pregnant before she reaches 17 years of age.
I think of the women workers who are fighting for fairer contracts and work conditions.
I think of the refugee woman who has little protection because she has no status in this country.
I think of the woman who will lose her land, culture and livelihood as ‘development’ takes over her land
I think of the woman who struggles with immigration requirements so that she can be with her family.
I think of the women suffering with the double burden of paid and unpaid work.
I think of the girl child disclosing sexual abuse but not being believed.
I think of the woman who is struggling to access justice in court for the sexual crime committed against her.
I think of the woman whose husband or father or son has died in police custody.
I think of the woman and the girl child suffocating under the tyranny of patriarchy.
I think of these women and girls and many more.
On this International Women’s Day 2021, while we celebrate women’s achievements, let’s also remember how hard the struggle is for so many women in the country and the pressing need for real commitment to address the many injustices against women. There is a long way to go.
‘Choose to challenge’ and join the journey for a more just and humane world.
Happy International Women’s Day.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Everyday Should be
HAPPY WOMENS DAY
and not just one day in a year
Mother gives birth to son who is a lion
Mother also gives birth to daughter who as a
wife can make that lion a pussycat!
Same may apply to Corporate Sectors for Directorships in Companies and Religious Institutions.
COULD IT BE THAT MEN ABLE TO RULE AND DENY RIGHTS TO WOMEN BECAUSE WOMEN SUPPORT MEN AND NOT OWN GENDER?
Bless all.
It originally was International WORKING Women’s Day, until it got hijacked by the bourgeosie
My sympathies to women in some societies/religions/countries for the injustices they suffer due to suspicion/perception that injustices may be due to male dominated authorities and male biased laws/customs and their enforcement thus suffer be it in policies and customs be it at home-society-public-religious other sectors.
Thus if women want need gender sensitive policies/practises then why do they not enter politics as candidate and women vote for women instead of voting for those perceived are not gender sensitivity? WOMEN SHOULD CLAIM THEIR RIGHTS AND NOT DEPEND ON OTHERS TO CARE FOR THEM be it in public or corporate-or religious sectors.
Bless all.