Saturday February 25, 2012

Group to voice out on women’s rights on March 18

PETALING JAYA: Some 15 non-governmental organisations will gather at Padang Astak a here on March 18 to push for a clean government and to fight for women's rights.

The grou p, called Wanita Suara Perubahan (Women's Voice for Chang e), is making six dem ands in conjunction with International Women's Day, which falls on March 8.

The coalition's secretariat member and Empower programme officer Lau Shu Shi said: “A clean government is an accountable government.

Millions of ringgit have been lost that should have been spent on adequate housing, health, transportation, education and others.

“Instead, basic services are being privatised and subsidies are being cut. As part of the coming celebration, it is time for women to stand united to voice out what we want for Malaysia,” she said here yesterday.

Their six demands are a government free of corruption, a decent living wage, a better quality of life, an end to violence against women and all genders, repealing the Peaceful Assembly Act and free and fair elections.

Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Se langor president Irene Xavier said Malaysia had two faces one that was rich and symbolised by big buildings and another which was of poor people, especially women.

“They struggle to work long hours yet they are not adequately compensated.

“Wages are low and very much below the official poverty line in the country,” she said.

The group will gather at 2pm at Taman Jaya LRT station, Asia Jaya LRT station and Masjid Bulat (Masjid Tun Abdul Aziz) at Section 14 before convening at Padang Astaka.

When asked if they had applied for a permit for the gathering, she said they wou ld write to inform the police, but would not apply for a permit.

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