Malay Mail
by T.K. Letchumy Tamboo
THE government owes at least three reports to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for the UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw) committee.
Women Aid's Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah said that Malaysia, which acceded to Cedaw on July 5, 1995, was supposed to submit a periodic report on the progress of implementing the convention's provisions but it has not complied.
"Since than, the government had only reported to the committee once when it prepared a combined first and second report in 2004 and appeared before the committee in 2006.
"The government is obligated to submit a report to the committee every four years," she said. Josiah said this led to the creation of an alternative report, initiated by 22 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
"The NGOs became tired of waiting for the Malaysian government's report, which was due four years ago. So, in the absence of the report, the NGOs got together to develop an alternative report which details the government's progress in the implementation.
"We urge the government to submit their report by the end of the year," said Josiah, who coordinated the report.
The alternative report, which was launched yesterday, provides examples of the impact of gender discrimination, including the continued representation of women in politics and decision-making positions, consistently low labour force participation of women and non-recognition of marital rape.
It also contains a landmark ruling which declared Cedaw as having the force of law and is binding on state authorities.
Josiah also said she was disappointed that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry did not respond to an invitation to the launch.
Former Cedaw committee member Shanthi Dairiam said globally, Cedaw has the least number of overdue reports as compared to other treaties but Malaysia stands out as going against that trend in fulfilling its reporting obligations.
"After the combined first and second report, the government was then instructed by UN to submit its combined third and fourth report in 2008, but none has been forthcoming.
"This alternative report is a powerful tool that we can all use for the purpose of advocacy and identifies areas in which discrimination against women continues to persist," she said, adding that the government must play its part in honouring pledges made to the UN.
Also present at the launch was National Human Rights vice-chairperson Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, who said that Malaysia has to date only ratified three out of nine major UN treaties, namely the Cedaw, Convention on Rights of the Child and Convention on The Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
by T.K. Letchumy Tamboo
THE government owes at least three reports to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for the UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw) committee.
Women Aid's Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah said that Malaysia, which acceded to Cedaw on July 5, 1995, was supposed to submit a periodic report on the progress of implementing the convention's provisions but it has not complied.
"Since than, the government had only reported to the committee once when it prepared a combined first and second report in 2004 and appeared before the committee in 2006.
"The government is obligated to submit a report to the committee every four years," she said. Josiah said this led to the creation of an alternative report, initiated by 22 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
"The NGOs became tired of waiting for the Malaysian government's report, which was due four years ago. So, in the absence of the report, the NGOs got together to develop an alternative report which details the government's progress in the implementation.
"We urge the government to submit their report by the end of the year," said Josiah, who coordinated the report.
The alternative report, which was launched yesterday, provides examples of the impact of gender discrimination, including the continued representation of women in politics and decision-making positions, consistently low labour force participation of women and non-recognition of marital rape.
It also contains a landmark ruling which declared Cedaw as having the force of law and is binding on state authorities.
Josiah also said she was disappointed that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry did not respond to an invitation to the launch.
Former Cedaw committee member Shanthi Dairiam said globally, Cedaw has the least number of overdue reports as compared to other treaties but Malaysia stands out as going against that trend in fulfilling its reporting obligations.
"After the combined first and second report, the government was then instructed by UN to submit its combined third and fourth report in 2008, but none has been forthcoming.
"This alternative report is a powerful tool that we can all use for the purpose of advocacy and identifies areas in which discrimination against women continues to persist," she said, adding that the government must play its part in honouring pledges made to the UN.
Also present at the launch was National Human Rights vice-chairperson Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, who said that Malaysia has to date only ratified three out of nine major UN treaties, namely the Cedaw, Convention on Rights of the Child and Convention on The Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
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