A REVIEW of laws on women and children and the setting up of a parliamentary select committee for gender equality are among Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah’s recommendations to deputy prime minister designate Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also to be the women and family development minister, should make non-discriminatory legislation against women a “national priority.” the former activist turned politician said in a statement tonight.

Maria, who was an activist fighting for women’s rights before leading electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, said Malaysia had regressed with regards to gender equality and had been called out on the global level for failing to address stereotyping of women as well as harmful cultural practices and violence against women.

“The previous administration’s policies have failed to produce meaningful progress to advance women’s rights in accordance with fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination.”

Laws that were unjust to women needed to be amended and synchronised to “mainstream gender equality into institutions.”.

She listed four areas Dr Wan Azizah should look into:

– Reconstitute the national advisory council for the integration of women in development to be led by an independent chair and to include both government and civil society organisations.

– Form a national committee to review all laws that discriminate against women, including laws on the family, rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, as well as the employment act and the draft of the gender equality bill, among others. 

– Establish a child protection and development national committee to review laws, and international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure a holistic approach to the development of children in Malaysia.

– Introduce a parliamentary gender equality select committee and a budget allocation to review laws and policies, support programmes and conduct national consultations relating to the rights of women, and to gather public feedback. This select committee should work together with the ministry in Parliament. – May 19, 2018.