ADUN SPEAKS | There is an apparent recurring theme of pervasive misogyny in Malaysia that keeps getting worse.
This rather depressing reality is worsened when both our esteemed minister and deputy minister of women affairs, who should be speaking up and standing in solidarity to uphold our rights, would rather keep mum and focus on addressing statements to gain whatever political “longevity” they can muster within the ruling federal government.
Women still find our achievements dismissed and our voices suppressed through sexually explicit threats made against our safety in this day and age.
When environmental activist Shakila Zen (above) spoke her mind about the recent #Lawan rally, the negative responses she garnered were grossly repulsive and unwarranted.
The “anonymous letter threatening an acid attack against her, along with a replica of a bloody severed hand” she received was a sickeningly immature act fueled by cowardice and misogyny.
Unfortunately, such acts are not uncommon and over the past years, we have seen an increase of hostility projected towards opinionated women who dare go against the grains of societal “norms”.
When such vile acts of intimidation occur, women are often subjected to varying levels of hostility which can sometimes be vastly different from what our male counterparts face.
Comments, as well as attacks, are often personal with lewd, sexually explicit content aimed to cast doubt about our strength and social competence.
This psychological approach is based on words and emotions that are used to divide women by making us feel vulnerable and powerless.
While misogyny still runs rampant in some divisions within our society, the hostility women face is nothing more than a social endemic that we can fight off.
Simply put, we can no longer remain silent, nor can we turn a blind eye as the costs of social apathy with regard to upholding justice is too great of a burden for us to bear.
There is a definite need for a shift of political climate where women are given a voice and assured that sexual harassment along with misogyny has no place in our modern society.
However, given how deeply rooted sexual discrimination has become, the future rests upon the policymakers to stand up and follow through with every form of harassment, sexual or not.
The road to reforms will be challenging and complicated but will garner immense rewards in our daily lives.
Both women and men who understand the dangers of such toxic values have the obligation to stand in solidarity with the rest of us.
The refusal to back down and cower in fear will give this nation a real chance to reshape the future we want to realise for our future children.
For Shakila and other women who have been put in similar positions, I have this to say - remaining silent would simply be a sign of acceptance and as a Malaysian woman, I refuse to be complicit in a system where misogyny is allowed to reign.
Understand that you are not alone in this battle against gender bigotry. It is only through unity and perseverance that we can battle the inanity of misogyny by proclaiming to this nation that we will not tolerate this abuse any longer.
SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is Seri Delima assemblyperson.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
