In The News
This piece was originally published in the Star on 29 June 2007.
Women celebrate rights, diversity
Mustafa K. Anuar
FIGHTING against social injustice and gender inequality has never been easy, particularly for women living in a male-dominated society.
Thus the three-day gathering in mid-June at Universiti Malaya provided a golden opportunity for Malaysian women – and men – to get together to celebrate achievements attained by women’s groups so far and also to reflect upon any shortcomings in their collective struggle.
Cleverly called Fiesta Feminista, this meeting was essentially aimed at celebrating the diversity that exists within our society in terms of “different classes, ages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexualities, locations and organisations.”
And to do this, the organisers planned cultural performances, forums, movie screenings, skits, etc, for the enjoyment, education and reflection of the participants, who came from all walks of life.
It was indeed a significant moment for women, feminists and concerned men in the country to witness women and women’s organisations asserting their rights as legitimate citizens of Malaysia, and also as ordinary human beings on this planet Earth.
To be sure, women’s issues, as speaker Zaitun Kassim rightly reminded the audience, cannot be separated from the issues of human rights and democracy.
This is because the rights of women are part and parcel of the universal human rights, and their activities and work are very much integral to democratic rights.
Besides, women, like men, have vital stakes and responsibilities in society, especially in the case of Malaysia where women constitute about half the entire population.
However, their work of raising awareness and improving their lot in the face of gender discrimination at work and elsewhere is hampered by political and institutional obstacles such as the state’s curb on their right to expression and dissent.
Fighting a cause such as this certainly demands ideas and actions that are often deemed by some people as “political”, and herein lies the problem, because, as was pointed out at a dialogue session, certain women shy away from anything that appears “political” as they consider “politics” to be “dirty”, “dangerous”, or only meant for (dirty) politicians.
To this, a few participants rightly argued that politics is very much related to feminism and the women’s movement, especially when women are involved in work that strives for social and political reform.
It was also pointed out that such a misconception of “politics” in the widest sense of the word has been brought about by long years of depoliticisation of the citizenry in the realm of education, work, etc.
It defies the notion that almost every decision that one makes is political.
The serious implication of this very process of depoliticisation is that the struggle for social justice, gender equality and freedom of expression, for instance, can be demonised or dismissed by some as the work of troublemakers or, worse, “anti-government” elements.
It needs to be emphasised here, though, that the implications of depoliticisation on society is quite universal in the sense that both women and men bear the dire consequences.
As if to remind the participants of a recent incident that smeared the good name of the country, a few young women volunteers put up a skit that poked fun at the two parliamentarians who spoke of the “monthly leaks” of women in the august chambers of our Parliament.
Although it was meant to be entertaining, the skit undoubtedly was a grim reminder that the fight for justice and women’s respectability can be daunting.
It also showed that the struggle of the women’s movement does not run on a linear continuum.
At times, the struggle faces unexpected setbacks and hiccups.
On the sideline was a media workshop organised by the All-Women’s Action Society (Awam) of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
It was aimed at raising consciousness among journalists, particularly women, about women’s issues and sensitivities.
It was indeed a commendable effort on the part of the organisers to have this.
What’s also worth mentioning is the conspicuous participation in the fiesta of many young women who in the near future will be the ones who will take up the mantle.
This is indeed very much in line with one of the objectives of the organisers, i.e. to have this gathering as a “leadership building activity and contribute to facilitating a smooth and effective transition between the current and future leadership of the women’s movement”.
Kudos to the organisers and others who made the weekend meet a truly meaningful one.
Dr Mustafa K. Anuar teaches at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he also learns a thing or two from women colleagues.
