KOTA KINABALU – When it comes to women’s empowerment and gender equality, it is important that men in politics speak out about issues related to women.
Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said men in Parliament rarely talk about women-related matters such as domestic violence, and that such issues are raised only by female lawmakers.
“I was once asked by my comrades to raise issues relating to women’s development in Parliament, only because I am a woman. I said, no, men can and should speak about women’s issues, too. This is especially since women are under-represented in Parliament, with only 14% of MPs being women.
“If we leave it only to women to speak about these issues, there is a slimmer chance that these issues are taken seriously.”
Given this, she said, it is important for men to have awareness about such matters.
Isnaraissah Munirah was speaking as a panellist during an online discussion about gender and politics organised by the Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group.
The former energy, science, technology, environment and climate change deputy minister said she has faced many challenges in politics due to her gender identity.
When I first joined politics in 2011, I saw and heard older men looking down on me, belittling me by saying: ‘Who is she to talk when she is just a woman?’
“It was tough. However, I am very happy with the development in politics, where we see that people are more aware of women’s involvement in politics, and respect us.
“We can be loud when needed, and we can play an effective role among lawmakers and policymakers.”
She shared this when asked about the challenges she has faced relating to gender in politics.
The Warisan MP also said women tend to be shy, and she personally overcame her shyness after years of experience and exposure in politics.
Women not mere homemakers
Another panellist, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, said the effort to push for more female involvement in politics aims to achieve critical mass for gender issues in Parliament.
“Up until now, only women MPs have been advocating and bringing up issues relating to women in Parliament.
“Women face challenges such as household responsibilities that they carry because of the stereotype that women have to be at home to take care of their children.
“We have to challenge these stereotypes. That is why we need critical mass in Parliament.”
In the effort to increase women’s involvement in politics, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong said women should be groomed from a young age through education.
She said students should be exposed to politics, as currently, secondary school leavers are generally clueless about governance.
There should be a topic on Malaysian governance, how democracy works, how our policies are made, and so on. Make young girls understand that they can be part of politics, too.
“We also must spread the awareness, especially in rural areas, that women can be leaders and make important decisions, and break the stereotype that women must only stay at home and have children.”
The DAP leader said 55.5% of registered voters in Malaysia are women, and so, it is only right that there are more female elected representatives.
The discussion also saw Liawan assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayub as a panellist.
Participants included women leaders from various political parties, as well as civil groups. –The Vibes, August 14, 2021
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