CSBR Featured, News from Member Organizations, News on Sexual & Bodily Rights

Sisters in Islam denounces Malaysian MP’s suggestion that marriage would stop statutory rape

2 January 2016

Sisters in IslamPAS’s ulama council information chief has made a mockery of Islam with his suggestion that marriage would solve a high percentage of underage rape cases in the country, Sisters in Islam (SIS) said today.

The non-governmental organisation for Muslim women’s rights said Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali’s statement on Facebook recently was appalling and erroneous.
“Islam does not allow for underage marriages, especially if it is to the perpetrator himself, i.e the underage girl’s rapist.

“As a Member of Parliament, it is shocking that YB Khairuddin would undermine the severity and emotional trauma experienced by victims of underage rape cases,” SIS said, in reference to the Kuala Nerus MP’s Facebook post on Wednesday.

Khairuddin had also been reported in the media as saying marriage was the “most potent medicine in Islam to curb the social ill.”

“Society, specifically parents, must encourage and facilitate the marriage of their children.

“While the government must help provide incentives to lessen the burden of couples planning to get married,” he reportedly said.

The PAS lawmaker had been commenting on sexual crime statistics from Bukit Aman that showed 920 out of 1,794 cases reported this year involved statutory rape.

Khairuddin also claimed that 90% of the statutory rape cases were “suka sama suka” (consensual).

SIS considered this remark by Khairuddin to be irresponsible and misleading.

“Rape can never be consensual even if an underage girl does not explicitly say no, thus the term ‘statutory rape’.

“It is time we view rape as a crime that it actually is and a violation of human rights.

“Rape is a despicable act that is sinful in Islam and cannot be awarded with marriage.”

SIS added that Malaysia, as a signatory to the Convention of Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Child Rights Convention (CRC), had an obligation to ensure underage girls get access to higher education and achieve their potential, instead of allowing child marriages as a solution to statutory rape.

Reposted from: The Malaysian Insider

Other sources: Malaysia Kini, The Star Online

CSBR News from Member Organizations

Pertubuhan Pertolongan Wanita (WAO) Melancarkan Laporan Keganasan Rumah Tangga 2015 dan Kempen Kesedaran Awam, “Bolehkah Anda Simpan Rahsia?”

WAO Launch 'Can You Keep A Secret'

Kuala Lumpur, 23 Jun 2015 – Pertubuhan Pertolongan Wanita (WAO) melancarkan laporan tahunan bertajuk “Berganding Bahu: Kajian Kes dalam Respons Keganasan Rumah Tangga, Laporan 2015”, sekaligus melancarkan pameran seni seramik bertajuk “Bolehkah Anda Simpan Rahsia?” bersama Leo Burnett/ Arc Worldwide Malaysia hari ini di Publika. Majlis pelancaran tersebut dirasmikan oleh Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, YB Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim.

Laporan tersebut membutirkan pengalaman mangsa-mangsa keganasan rumah tangga dan cabaran yang dihadapi mereka dalam mencari perlindungan dan keadilan. Laporan ini juga menyenaraikan saranan komprehensif yang ditujukan kepada pihak berkuasa kerajaan yang berkenaan.

Pameran “Bolehkah Anda Simpan Rahsia?” merupakan inisiatif pendidikan awam bertujuan mempertingkatkan kesedaran orang ramai terhadap keganasan rumah tangga. Pameran ini akan mengetengahkan 12 kepala seramik saiz sebenar yang memaparkan wanita yang mungkin merupakan mangsa penderaan. Setiap kepala seramik ini mengisahkan cerita mangsa keganasan rumah tangga yang berbeza, dan menyeru orang ramai untuk tidak berdiam diri jika mereka mengesyaki berlakunya penderaan.

Barisan kepala ini dihasilkan secara sukarela oleh artis James Seet daripada Leo Burnett/ Arc Worldwide Malaysia. “Seni seramik digunakan untuk menceritakan kisah sebenar mangsa kerana menggambarkan betapa rapuhnya hidup mangsa penderaan jika tidak dibela. Mangsa biasanya hidup bertopeng sedangkan jiwa mereka sebenarnya terseksa,” kata Seet.

“Seiring dengan pegangan ‘Keinsanan’ Leo Burnett, kami ingin menyedarkan orang ramai akan WAO 2015 Report Working Togetherkeparahan isu keganasan rumah tangga. Isu ini tidak mungkin diatasi dalam sekelip mata, tetapi berkat pendedahan dan pendidikan dalam topik ini, kami berharap dapat menggalakkan rakyat Malaysia supaya bertindak apabila menyedari wujudnya keganasan rumah tangga,” jelas artis tersebut.

“Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat amat mengutamakan hak golongan wanita, dan sedang bekerja ke arah mencapai kesaksamaan jantina. Malaysia amat komited kepada Konvensyen berkaitan Penghapusan Segala Bentuk Diskriminasi terhadap Wanita (CEDAW). Kementerian sangat menyokong usaha-usaha untuk membantu mereka yang didera oleh ahli keluarga, tidak kira dari pihak kerajaan mahupun bukan kerajaan,” tekan YB Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim.

Beliau mengiktiraf kekuatan dan kelemahan dalam sistem respons bagi mangsa, sebagaimana digariskan oleh laporan WAO. Beliau berkata bahawa kementerian akan “mempertimbangkan cadangan-cadangan yang terdapat di dalam laporan” WAO agar keganasan rumah tangga dapat ditangani dengan lebih baik.

Sumitra Visvanathan, Pengarah Eksekutif WAO, menekankan peri pentingnya menangani keganasan rumah tangga dengan melibatkan kesemua pihak berkepentingan. Beliau berkata, “Semua agensi berkaitan termasuk pihak bukan kerajaan dan agensi kerajaan seperti pihak hospital dan pihak polis mesti berganding bahu demi mempercepat respons kita terhadap keganasan rumah tangga dan terus memastikan mangsa mendapat sokongan dan bantuan yang disediakan.”

WAO Launch 2Laporan ini mengutarakan peranan utama polis sebagai pihak bertindak pertama  dalam kebanyakan kes keganasan rumah tangga. Daripada 110 mangsa yang ditinjau, 68 (61.8%) daripada mereka mendapatkan bantuan polis terlebih dahulu sebelum pihak lain.

“Polis memainkan peranan penting dalam respons keganasan rumah tangga. Adalah amat penting untuk pegawai-pegawai polis menerima sokongan dan latihan sewajarnya untuk mengendalikan kes-kes sebegini,” jelas Visvanathan.

Satu lagi isu yang diketengahkan dalam laporan ini adalah beberapa kejayaan pihak mahkamah dalam membicarakan kes penderaan rumah tangga. Contohnya: kenyataan impak mangsa (victim impact statement, VIS) berjaya digunakan untuk mendakwa pelaku, manakala seorang pelaku lain berjaya dipenjarakan kerana melanggar arahan perlindungan, kali pertama untuk Malaysia.

Naib Presiden WAO Tashia Peterson berkata semasa majlis pelancaran, “Keganasan rumah tangga bukan perkara yang normal; wanita berhak hidup tanpa keganasan.  Orang ramai perlu mengenal pasti hakikat ini dan menyedari bahawa setiap daripada kita mempunyai peranan penting dalam membanteras keganasan rumah tangga.”

“Setinggi-tinggi terima kasih kepada Arc Worldwide/ Leo Burnett Malaysia atas bantuan mereka dalam menjayakan pameran seni ini, pejabat YB Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, dan Brickfields Asia College (BAC) atas sokongan murah hati mereka dalam penerbitan laporan ini. Terima kasih juga kepada Publika kerana menyediakan ruang untuk menjalankan inisiatif-inisiatif ini,” sambung beliau.

Pameran seni WAO akan berlangsung di Blue Bridge, Aras G3, Publika, sehingga 22 Julai dan seterusnya di lokasi-lokasi lain.

Laporan WAO boleh dimuat turun di bit.ly/WAOreport.


Pertubuhan Pertolongan Wanita (WAO) menyediakan tempat tinggal sementara, kerja sosial dan perkhidmatan nasihat untuk mangsa keganasan rumah tangga dan berjuang untuk hak wanita. Sila hubungi talian nasihat kami di 03 7956 3488 atau SMS TINA di 018 988 8058 sekiranya anda atau kenalan anda mengalami penderaan. Bersama-sama, kita merubah kehidupan.

Untuk maklumat lanjut: Kristine Yap, kristine.wao@gmail.com 

CSBR Featured, News from Member Organizations, News on Sexual & Bodily Rights, Resources & Tools

WAO Reveals 2015 Domestic Violence Report & Launches Public Education Campaign “Can You Keep A Secret?”

WAO Launch 'Can You Keep A Secret'


Kuala Lumpur, 23 June 2015 – Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) revealed their annual “Working Together: Case Studies in Domestic Violence Response, 2015 Report”, simultaneously launching their public education campaign with a ceramic art installation entitled, “Can You Keep A Secret?” in collaboration with Leo Burnett/ Arc Worldwide Malaysia today in Publika. The launch was officiated by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim.

The report details the experiences of domestic abuse survivors and the challenges they faced in obtaining protection and justice. WAO also compiled a comprehensive list of recommendations directed towards relevant government authorities.

“Can You Keep a Secret?” is aimed at raising awareness on domestic violence and will be onWAO 2015 Report Working Togetherdisplay at the Blue Bridge on Level G3 of Publika, featuring live-size ceramic head sculptures representing everyday women who could be victims of abuse. The twelve ceramic heads feature different stories of domestic violence survivors, drawing the public’s attention and urging them to speak out when it matters most – when they notice abuse.

Artist James Seet from Leo Burnett/ Arc Worldwide Malaysia volunteered his time and skills to create the sculptures as it was an issue he strongly wanted to champion. “Ceramic art was used to mirror real stories of survivors, representing the fragility of abused victims. Masking their internal emotions with a strong façade, victims develop deep mental and emotional scars that affect their wellbeing,“ Seet said.

“In line with Leo Burnett’s Humankind philosophy of creating work that influences behaviour, we hope to be able to bring the severity of domestic violence to attention through this art installation. This issue will not resolve overnight, but with the little exposure and education on this topic, we hope to encourage Malaysians to take action when they come across domestic violence,” James added.

“The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development prioritises women’s rights, and is working towards achieving gender equality. Malaysia is committed to our obligations to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The Ministry strongly supports efforts by government and non-governmental agencies to assist survivors of domestic violence,” the Minister stressed.

WAO Launch "Can You Keep A Secret?" 2The Minister also noted that there were strengths and weaknesses in the response system for domestic violence survivors, which the report points out. The Minister added that her Ministry would “consider all suggestions and recommendations that WAO has raised in the report to better address domestic violence.”

Sumitra Visvanathan, Executive Director of WAO, emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing domestic violence. She stated, “All relevant bodies, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies such as hospitals and the police must work together to improve our response to domestic violence and continue to ensure that victim-survivors have access to the crucial support and assistance that we collectively provide.”

The report highlights the key role of police as first-responders in most domestic violence cases. From the 110 victim-survivors surveyed, 68 (61.8%) of them sought help from the police before anyone else.

“The police play a vital role in domestic violence response. It is exceedingly important that officers receive proper support and training to deal with these cases,” Visvanathan further commented.

Another highlight in the report is breakthrough developments in the courts where domestic violence cases are tried. For example, a victim impact statement (VIS) was successfully used in convicting a perpetrator. In another case, the perpetrator was successfully jailed for breaching a protection order, a first in Malaysia.

WAO Vice-President Tashia Peterson said at the launch, “Domestic violence must not be seen as normal; women have the right to a life free from violence. We want the public to recognise that and realise that we all have a part to play in ending domestic violence.”

“We would also like to thank Leo Burnett/ Arc Worldwide Malaysia for helping to make our campaign a success,as well as the office of Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and Brickfields Asia College (BAC) for their generous support towards publishing the report. Thank you as well to Publika for providing us the space to conduct these initiatives,” she added. `

The art installation will be on display in Publika, on the Blue Bridge on Level G3, until the 22nd of July. It will then exhibited in other locations.

The report is available for download at bit.ly/WAOreport.

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) provides temporary shelter, social work and counselling services for domestic violence survivors and advocates for women’s human rights. Call our counselling line at 03 7956 3488 or SMS TINA at 018 988 8058 if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse. Together, we change lives.

For more information, contact: Kristine Yap, kristine.wao@gmail.com

 

 

CSBR CSBR Activities, News from Member Organizations, News on Sexual & Bodily Rights, ODOS

One Day, One Struggle around the World!

Today, November 9, 2011 marks the 3rd annual celebration of One Day, One Struggle. This time, every year, CSBR member organizations join forces to campaign locally and globally for sexual and bodily rights. Events will be happening around the world over the coming week, here are some:

MORE UPDATES COMING AS WE RECEIVE THEM!

MALAYSIA

You can also read the statement by Women’s Aid Organization in solidarity with the campaign.

PAKISTAN

Rutgers WPF have launched a survey with special focus to the issues faced by transgenders in Pakistan. Fourth question of the poll refers to the recently released Pakistani famous Movie “BOL” which highlights different Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights issues with the context of Muslim families living in Pakistan.

Rutgers will share the results of the poll on 10th December 2011 on the commemoration of International Human Rights Day.

LEBANON

Nasawiya in Lebanon are organizing around the theme of marital rape, which has recently caused controversy during the campaign to Protect Women from Family Violence. Marital rape is exempted from bring considered criminal in the Lebanese Penal Code and women’s movements are calling for its criminalization.

A conference with interactive theater and public forum will take place on Tuesday, November 15 on the theme of marital rape and you can watch the video prepared by the group, gauging out the public’s reactions to the campaign below (in Arabic):


The Lebanese Society of ObGyn will also be holding a session on sexual pleasure deconstruction from a biomedical perspective on November 17.

PHILIPPINES

In Davao City, PILIPINA Legal Resources Center organized a Human Rights Policy Forum on LGBT Rights with a panel discussion and policy recommendations. The event brought together sociologists, researchers, writers, activists, and city councilors. PILIPINA Legal Resources Center worked to connect the LGBT community with local city legislators, academe, women’s movement, the press in order to intellectually discuss the proposed Anti Discrimination Bill Of Davao City Legislative Council which does not have a section on LGBT rights.

Isabelita Solamo-Antonio writes about the issue in Womenwise: LGBT (Lesbians, Gay, Bi-sexuals & Transgenders) Rights Are Human Rights. Check out the Facebook photo album here!

INDONESIA

Organizations in Indonesia marked ODOS with 2 days of events under the theme “My Body, My Rights : No Health Without Rights.” The occasion brought together several NGOs, academic institutions and AIDS Commission at province level (Government Organization). The Organizations that joined the events are Dipayoni (Lesbian organization), Savy Amira (Women Crisis Center), Bhinneka (Religion and pluralism organization), AIDS Commission (Government organization), and Study Center for Human Rights- Surabaya University, Study center for gender and Health- Psychology Faculty-Surabaya University.