KUALA LUMPUR – The importance of recognising women’s empowerment in community building as well as the country’s economy remains an ongoing priority, said US ambassador to Malaysia, Brian McFeeters.
According to him, the recognition does not merely equip women with tools needed to spark change, but also involves a push for their full participation and acceptance from all layers of society.
“Gender aspiration is a human aspiration and not a female initiative. Learning that gender inequality exists must result in an action which levels the playing field.
“As such, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘Break the Bias’. Whether blatantly or otherwise, bias has resulted in women struggling to move forward,” he said during the “Creating Agents for Change” (CAFC) programme today.
According to McFeeters, fighting for women’s rights is just as important as efforts to empower them.
He said the CAFC programme is part of the embassy’s Women Empowerment campaign aiming to address barriers that restrict the role of women in society as well as their potential to become economic contributors to the nation.
“The embassy is committed to strengthening the capacity of local organisations to support policy reform and discussions, and strengthening the skills of institutions and individuals,” he said.
Meanwhile, activist Datin Marina Mahathir said in line with the 21st century, change needs to come from young women.
“The right to equality, as enshrined under Article 8 of the federal constitution, is very important, as it recognises that men and women are equal, where fathers and mothers are equally responsible and have equal rights to decide on the upbringing of their children.
“By this, it means that every citizen, including judges and politicians, must uphold that right if they do not want to violate the constitution,” she said.
The CAFC program was the brainchild of 3R Media founder Lina Tan, who received the cooperation of women’s rights organisation EMPOWER Malaysia, with the support of the US Embassy.
The highlight of the program was the production of self-advocacy videos on selected gender issues in Malaysia, such as gender-based violence, indigenous rights, and minority representation, as well as child marriages.
The top three videos will be selected to be showcased at the “ReFest: #BreakTheBias”, a two-day festival held in conjunction with International Women’s Day at the Gray Box, GMBB. – The Vibes, March 5, 2022
