Happy National Women's Day

Honouring Malaysian women

By Flora McCraith, MSN, Updated: 8/24/2010

In conjunction with Malaysia's National Women's Day, we honour the milestones achieved by our fairer sex.

The role and status of women in Malaysia has come along way - they now play prominent roles in business, politics and public life. 25th August is National Women’s Day in Malaysia, a time for us to acknowledge the triumphs of our local women.

Women in Malaysia
Although the Constitution lacks a clear definition of discrimination, the government is continually implementing legal amendments designed to eliminate any discrimination against women. Much of the progress can be linked to increased access to education for women and greater awareness of their constitutional rights. (genderindex.org)

Women, family and marriage

Many women’s groups in Malaysia are seeking to raise the legal marriage age and to make child marriages illegal - in 2009, Malaysia’s Woman’s Aid Organisation found that 32 girls under the age of 10 had taken the premarital HIV test.

In 1999, the Infants Act was amended and parental control granted equally to both mother and father. Before this, only the father who was recognised as the sole legal guardian. But, now in the event of a divorce the Civil Law Reform Act gives men and women equal guardianship.

Marriage reform laws were pushed through in 1989, and the 1976 Law Reform Marriage and Divorce Act banned polygamy among non-Muslim men. By 1981, all marriages had to be registered.

In 1991, working married women were allowed to file annual tax assessments and able to enjoy the same tax free allowances as their husbands.

Women and education

There has been a significant increase and steady stream of women in education, especially in higher education. This reflects a development in the educational accomplishments of women - largely due to the fact that there is now greater access for women to education facilities. In 1995, female students outnumbered the male students in higher learning, and in 1996 there were 106 women to every 100 men. (www.undp.org.my)

Women and the Government

“Although the number of women members of political parties is high, representation of women in decision-making positions in the Government and other statutory bodies is poor, and falls well short of the 30% women participation rate in Government targeted in the 1995 Global platform for Action.”(www.wao.org.my)

While there are women in ministerial positions, significant governmental posts such as deputy ministers, diplomats, and senior civil servants, women are still under-represented in the political organisations and far behind the developed world.

Women in law

Previously, it was only the civil judiciary that has had female judges. Therefore, the recent decision to assign women judges in the Shariah courts was a big achievement. The aim is to improve justice involving women’s rights and family affairs in such courts.

Women in work


50 per cent of Malaysian women work, with many in high level positions, including in the post governor of the Central Bank. According to official statistics, women make up 36 per cent of the workforce.

In 1999, in response to the pleas of women's groups the minister of Human Resources launched the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. In 2010, a bill was brought to Parliament calling for a fine of up to RM10,000 to be imposed on all employers who fail to investigate and employee's sexual harassment claims.

Women and domestic violence

A Nationwide survey carried out by the Woman’s Aid Organisation (WAO) found that about 40 per cent of Malaysian women over the age of 15 had been beaten by their partners. The Domestic Violence Act, implemented in 1996 made domestic violence, causing physical injury or putting someone in fear of physical injury, a punishable offence. While it only applies to those who are married, it says that Malaysia will not tolerate domestic violence.

Women and NGOs and women’s groups

There are a number of women’s groups in Malaysia championing women’s causes. Shelters have also been set up to protect those in need.

The National Council of Women’s Organisations , established in 1963, has worked hard as an advisory body to push for the equality of woman’s rights.

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) opened in 1982, it was the first women's shelter home.

All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) was founded in 1985 and aims to “improve the lives of women” and “create a just, democratic and equitable society where women are treated with respect, and free from all forms of violence and discrimination.”

The Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) is a global programme aimed at empowering Muslim women. Founded in 2006 and led by 150 leading Muslim women scholars, activists, religious and civil society leaders, it represents over 25 countries worldwide.

Sisters in Islam was founded in 1988 and their mission is to promote the rights of women within the framework of Islam. They are certainly the most outspoken campaigner of change involving Muslim laws that supposedly fail to defend the rights of women.