Voon (third left), Siah (fourth left), Chua (fifth left) and other PKR Women wing members showing the International Women’s Day 2015 banner.
KUCHING: As women in the world celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, Sarawak PKR leaders voiced out their concern regarding gender equality, justice and dignity.
PKR Stampin branch vice-chairperson Voon Shiak Ni said although Women’s Day has been celebrated for over a century, and women have made remarkable strides economically and socially, no one can deny that they still have a long way to go to fight for equality and dignity.
“Awareness campaigns for women’s rights still have to be loudly advocated because statistics still shows that 30 per cent of women in the world are victims of various kinds of violence and abuse,” she said in a press statement yesterday.
Voon, who is also PKR Women national vice chief, said the theme for the celebration this year “Make It Happen” had served as a clarion call to everyone to work together to make things happen for women so that they earn their lawful rights and dignity.
PKR Sarawak deputyYouth chief Simon Siah said he is one among the many men who would not hesitate to speak for the rights of women because he believes that it is also the binding duty of men to fight for gender equality for women.
“AMK (PKR Youth) Sarawak recognises recognizes women’s contribution to the family, the society, and even the country
“Even those who are housewives are contributing because they are the ones who take care of the family and bring up children who will later become useful citizens of a country,” said Siah.
In this connection, Siah, who is also PKR Bandar Kuching branch chairman, said government departments must thus take the lead to look into providing nursery services within the building of government offices.
This would give working women peace of mind and convenience and in turn would enable them to continue contributing efficiently to society.
He suggested that, in Kuching, the government can start with places like Wisma Bapa Malaysia and Bangunan Sultan Iskandar for trial.
“Big corporation and private companies should also do the same if they have their own buildings, or alternatively mothers could be provided with incentives to ease the burden of childcare,” said Siah.
Meanwhile, PKR Bandar Kuching branch secretary Chua Kuan Ching said law reform is necessary to provide the legal framework for gender equality.
“Hence, the Gender Equality Bill should be called and Malaysia should incorporate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) framework into its Constitution to achieve gender parity (Malaysia ratified CEDAW in 1995).”
Chua, who is also the PKR Sarawak women wing legal advisor, said the education system plays a vital role to shape the young minds into seeing that women also have the same rights as men so that they will not harbor any gender stereotyping mentality.
“Since the number of women in the workforce is increasing, it is time that social policies be improved on areas like paternity or maternity leave, child-care matters, and flexible working hours.
“Closing the gender gap would definitely help in boosting the country’s economy, health and productivity,” said Chua.