GENDER-SENSITISATION sessions should be held for elected representatives to instil a better understanding of the causes and consequences of violence against women, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today.

She was reacting to PKR Senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid’s proposal to enact a law protecting men from being seduced into raping women.

“Even though Imran has apologised and retracted his statement, I am of the opinion that gender-sensitisation sessions should be conducted, especially for elected and appointed representatives, so that the causes and consequences of violence against women can be better understood together,” she said in a statement.

Political leaders must play a role to ensure that both women and men are protected against sexual violence, she said.

Wan Azizah, who is also the women, family and community development minister, said it’s unacceptable to blame women for men’s bad behaviour.

Women should be protected from crimes and not be blamed for the crimes inflicted upon them, she said.

“Blaming a woman for the commission of a crime against her due to the way she talks or dresses is wrong.”

She added that such statements have no place in New Malaysia.

“I was shocked to read Imran’s suggestion that there be a sexual harassment law to protect men from a woman’s way of speaking and dressing, which he says can cause men to be seduced, which will then lead them into committing acts, such as incest, rape, inappropriate touching and pornography, among others.”

However, she welcomed Imran’s apology.

Imran retracted his suggestion for a law protecting men from being seduced into raping women in a statement earlier today after criticism, including from PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

He sought forgiveness from those offended over the remarks and said he did not expect it to be seen as such a huge mistake. – August 1, 2019.