Minister of Women, Family & Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (seated, centre) with the speakers and participants of the Summit.
The measure of a society is in how it treats its women and girls, says Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) general manager Dr R. Usha Devi.
“This quote has been attributed to several figures throughout history including Mahatma Gandhi, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and US former first lady Michelle Obama, but regardless of who said it, the sentiment behind the quote remains the same: the treatment of women and girls within a society is a reflection of the overall health and well being of that society,” says Usha.
MEF general manager - Industrial Relations R Usha Devi at the National Summit on Women in Kuala Lumpur.She was speaking at the inaugural National Summit organised by MEF and MEF Academy recently in Kuala Lumpur, on "Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Equity and Protection".
“In many societies throughout history, women and girls have been treated as second class citizens, denied basic rights and opportunities, and subjected to discrimination and violence.
“This has had far reaching effects on their health, education and economic opportunities as well as their overall quality of life.
“When women and girls are not able to fully participate in society, their talents and potential are wasted and the society as a whole, suffers,” she says.
Conversely, when women and girls are treated with respect and given equal rights and opportunities, the benefits are numerous, she adds.
“They are able to contribute to the economy, politics and culture of their society, and their perspectives and talents are valued. In societies where gender equality is prioritised, women tend to be healthier, better educated, and more financially secure, which benefits not just the women but their families and communities as well,” she says.
Rani: The summit ‘supports the International Women’s Day 2023 vision to focus on the progress of women and its theme of a diverse, equitable and inclusive world’.T. Rani Nathan, MEF Academy general manager, says that the summit “supports the International Women’s Day 2023 vision to focus on the progress of women and its theme of a diverse, equitable and inclusive world”.
“The vision is to forge an inclusive world where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated; to shine a spotlight on activities which uplift and inspire women to pursue goals without biases; to elevate women to create change via technology and sustainability in workplaces, communities and beyond; and finally, to advance gender parity in technology and celebrate the women shaping innovation,” she says.
The speakers and panelists at the Summit included International Labour Organisation national project coordinator Wong Yuen Mei, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry honorary treasurer and MEF vice president Anne Kung, Maybank chief human capital officer Datuk Nora Manaf, SP Setia chief human resource officer and MEF council member Nadiah Tan, and lawyer and human rights advocate Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. Woman, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri delivered the keynote address.
Strong laws and social policies
Peters spoke about empowering women to be financially independent.KL High Court Judge Evrol Mariette Peters, one of the presenters at the Summit, says that people tend to look at the world through gender-biased rather than neutral lenses.
“From young, boys and girls are socially conditioned to act and behave a certain way (based on their gender), even in the sports they take part in and the musical instruments they play, everything is either masculine or feminine,” she says.
The common perception, she says, is that men are "rational, reasoned, objective, neutral and just" while women are "irrational, passive, feeling, subjective and personal", she adds.
“In a work environment, we’re encouraged to have characteristics perceived as masculine and discouraged from being emotional and subjective as these are traits associated with women,” says Peters.
Sex and gender are often used interchangeably but some (theorists) believe that sex is the biological makeup of the person, while gender is what they identify with emotionally,” she explains.
Peters feels that “there shouldn’t even be a distinction” between male and female because the moment there is this distinction, it sows the seed of discrimination.
“There is also the issue of social conditioning or how we conform to society’s expectations of how a woman should act versus how a man should act. And also, how we should think, live our lives, activities we should embark on and the jobs/positions we should take,” she says.
Laws alone not enough
The National Summit on Women Leadership, Empowerment, Equity, and Protection, highlights the importance of an inclusive society.
According to Peters, although there are strong laws designed to safeguard women’s rights, these may work to their detriment if social structures and policies aren’t designed using a gender lens.
She cites as example the Malaysian Employment Act 1955 which has been amended to increase paid paternity leave from three to seven days, and maternity leave, from 60 to 98 days.
“While it’s good that women have more days for maternity leave, there might be repercussions as some employers may prefer to hire men instead of women because of this. If you’re a female at child-bearing age, they won’t hire you because you’ll take 98 days of paid maternity leave which they have to pay for,” she says.
Peters also highlights Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution which states “there shall be no discrimination against Malaysians based on religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law”, was amended in 2001 to prohibit gender discrimination.
“But, because women are different from men biologically, and maybe even physically or emotionally, they are discriminated based on their age, looks, physique, at the expense of their intelligence or capabilities,” she says.
At recruitment level, women are asked questions about their marital status and family planning such as ‘When are you planning to get married? When are you planning to have children’? which are not asked of men, she says.
“Even though men do face sexual harassment at the workplace, women face it more,” she adds.
According to Peters, laws can only “treat the symptoms” but they can’t “cure the problem”.
This, she says, has to come from empowering women and well as systems that protect women.
When a woman is in an abusive relationship, it’s very easy for an outsider to advise her to leave. But, there is a long and complicated process, and often lack of support for her, she says. However, if a woman is financially independent, she can manage the situation better because she has the freedom to make decisions such as women who find it difficult to leave abusive relationships because they’re financially dependent on the abuser, says Peters.
Similarly, there are many who feel trapped in their jobs. Even though they are harassed sexually or discriminated, they continue, simply because they need the income.
Nancy delivered the keynote address at the Summit on Women.
Peters highlights the importance of empowering women to be financial independent.
“It’s through qualifications and skills. The key is in getting a good education. There is nothing more important for a woman than a good education. Teach our girls about the importance of education.
“Teach them to be realistic, rather than be indoctrinated with fairy tales about waiting for prince charming and riding off into the sunset and living happily ever after, because marriage isn’t the be all and end all, but it is an option. It shouldn’t be used as a crutch.
“The longterm solution to eradicate gender discrimination is to educate society,” says Peters.
She also emphasises the need to educate boys.
“Tell our sons, brothers, nephews, uncles and fathers they need to respect women and teach them how to,” she says, adding that boys have to learn this at a young age so that they will grow up respecting women.
“We also need to ask if we women ourselves are guilty of perpetrating gender inequality by discriminating against other women,” she says.
