A GENDER equality law is not in conflict with the federal constitution as the constitution promotes equality for all citizens, said activists today.

“The constitution promotes equality. Therefore, a gender equality law is not in conflict with the constitution.

“However, the constitution does not tell you how to be equal. The gender equality law tells us what equality is,” said Shanti Dairiam, a former member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw).

The Women’s Aid Organisation, which has been calling for a gender equality law for several years now, has urged the new government to show its commitment to the law and set a timeline for its enactment.

Last year, its vice-president, Meera Samanther, said 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 for gender equality and protect the many women who have suffered all these years,” she said in a statement.

She said 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 asked.

Transgender rights activist Khartini Slamah said that her community was not seeking for special recognition from the authorities, but was merely seeking equality as Malaysians.

“We were constantly asked why we worked as sex workers, but why didn’t they ask us why we weren’t getting any jobs?

“We can’t work because of the stigma and abuse we get. Why does the trans community work as sex workers? Because they can’t get the proper support to work.

“We are not asking for any special treatment or rights. We are just asking for equal treatment as Malaysians,” she said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said last year that all forms of discrimination against the transgender community in Malaysia had to stop.

The minister also said that government would consider introducing anti-discrimination policies or laws to protect the vulnerable group.

“We (the government) will discuss with the relevant ministries, and I can mediate. But whatever it is, there should be no discrimination against transgender individuals.

“They need work and access to education and places of worship. I hear that they are also discriminated when it comes to health access, and this should not happen.

“Transgenders are a reality that we cannot avoid. We live with the reality and must ensure that they are given justice.

“The transgenders are not asking for extra rights, such as same-sex marriage. They just do not want to be hurt and discriminated against.

“It does not matter who they are. You cannot hurt fellow Malaysians,” said Mujahid. – January 23, 2019.