PUTRAJAYA should stop dragging its feet over the Gender Equality Act it announced in November 2016, said Women’s Aid Organisation vice president Meera Samanther.

“We need the Gender Equality Act because women in the private sector are not protected from gender discrimination,” said Meera at the launch of an exhibition to highlight stories of gender discrimination in Kuala Lumpur today in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

“Many suffer in silence, leave their jobs, or are told to leave. The Gender Equality Act would change this.

“The act should not only prohibit gender discrimination but also ensure that women who experience discrimination can easily get justice, without having to go through a lengthy, tiring and costly process.”

A trained chemist Michelle Kathleen Tan shared at a forum her dismissal from employment for being pregnant.

She was employed at an international school as a lab assistant at that time. 

“I told human resources (HR) I was pregnant. I didn’t think it would be a problem. I travelled, carried boxes and climbed stairs when I was pregnant in my previous job.

“I was a little worried when the HR said she would look into it. I was surprised when they asked me to resign for my wellbeing,” said Tan.

When Tan insisted on a termination letter after consulting a lawyer, her employer agreed to issue the termination letter but refused to compensate her.

Her case is still pending in the Industrial Relations office.

In contrast, another panellist, Sime Darby Property supply chain head Adi Wira Abdul Razak, said his company recruited a female staff even after being informed she was pregnant.

“We waited for her,” he said.

A 2016 survey conducted by WAO with 222 women found two out of five women were discriminated due to pregnancy, including being denied promotion, placed on prolonged probation, demoted and dismissed from their jobs. 

Nearly a third of the women said they delayed their pregnancy, fearing it would cause them to lose their jobs or a promotion.

One in five women said their job applications were rejected or job offers revoked after disclosing their pregnancy.

However, only one in eight woman who lost their jobs or promotions due to a pregnancy like Tan actually lodged formal complaints.

Meera said a United Nations (UN) committee on women’s rights had urged Malaysia to enact the Gender Equalities Act in 2006 and reiterated its call this year.

“Malaysia has an international obligation to enact the Gender Equality Act. It is key to fulfilling gender equality in Malaysia,” said the lawyer. 

The “Invisible Women” art exhibition runs from today till March 18, 10am-10pm at the White Box Theatre in Publika, Solaris Dutamas. – March 8, 2018.