Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy

Even though equality has been described as a simple concept, its meanings and principles have not been properly understood by the public. Similar treatment might not have a value of neutrality because, once the right to equality is related to and enforced by laws, its objectivity and impartial...

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Main Authors: Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail, Syahirah Abdul Shukur
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/1/IJIT-Vol-18-Dec-2020_9_85-94.pdf
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author Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh,
Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail,
Syahirah Abdul Shukur,
author_facet Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh,
Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail,
Syahirah Abdul Shukur,
author_sort Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh,
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Even though equality has been described as a simple concept, its meanings and principles have not been properly understood by the public. Similar treatment might not have a value of neutrality because, once the right to equality is related to and enforced by laws, its objectivity and impartiality can be challenged. The Malaysian government is making progress towards a safer and more equal environment for women and girls following the proposed new or amended legislation. These includes the anti-stalking law, the Sexual Harassment Act, and ending child marriage. Furthermore, the establishment of a Select Committee on Rights and Gender Equality in Parliament have been considered as a good step forward for equality. Indeed, implementation of policies such as childcare facilities in government offices as well as encouraging the private sector to follow suit are good moves towards creating more opportunities and encouraging the participation of women in the workforce. This paper explores the conceptual understanding of ‘equality’ globally and from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence. This reflection is in line with Islamic belief that needs to reform the understanding of society based on the suggestion of Al-Quran and Islamic scholars. With this interpretation, this paper will explore Malaysia’s progress in empowering women and gender equality. Finally, this paper will suggest a way forward for Malaysia to empower women that have been marginalized and subordinated.
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spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:163552021-03-29T07:37:01Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/ Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail, Syahirah Abdul Shukur, Even though equality has been described as a simple concept, its meanings and principles have not been properly understood by the public. Similar treatment might not have a value of neutrality because, once the right to equality is related to and enforced by laws, its objectivity and impartiality can be challenged. The Malaysian government is making progress towards a safer and more equal environment for women and girls following the proposed new or amended legislation. These includes the anti-stalking law, the Sexual Harassment Act, and ending child marriage. Furthermore, the establishment of a Select Committee on Rights and Gender Equality in Parliament have been considered as a good step forward for equality. Indeed, implementation of policies such as childcare facilities in government offices as well as encouraging the private sector to follow suit are good moves towards creating more opportunities and encouraging the participation of women in the workforce. This paper explores the conceptual understanding of ‘equality’ globally and from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence. This reflection is in line with Islamic belief that needs to reform the understanding of society based on the suggestion of Al-Quran and Islamic scholars. With this interpretation, this paper will explore Malaysia’s progress in empowering women and gender equality. Finally, this paper will suggest a way forward for Malaysia to empower women that have been marginalized and subordinated. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020-12 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/1/IJIT-Vol-18-Dec-2020_9_85-94.pdf Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, and Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail, and Syahirah Abdul Shukur, (2020) Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy. International Journal of Islamic Thought ( IJIT ), 18 . pp. 85-94. ISSN 2232-1314 http://www.ukm.my/ijit/volume-18-dec-2020/
spellingShingle Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh,
Wan Abdul Fattah Wan Ismail,
Syahirah Abdul Shukur,
Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title_full Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title_fullStr Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title_full_unstemmed Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title_short Rebranding equality: Malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
title_sort rebranding equality: malaysia’s progress on women’s rights advocacy
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/16355/1/IJIT-Vol-18-Dec-2020_9_85-94.pdf