Women’s Candidacy Initiative

WCI Condemns the Rape Threat Against YB Rodziah

Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI) strongly condemns the violence and aggression demonstrated by the disruptive participants of the dialogue between the Selangor government and Section 23 Shah Alam residents on 5 September 2009. The creation of spaces and processes for open dialogue is a key principle of democratic participation. However, these individuals are aiming to shut down dialogue and push for decision-making in their favour through intimidation, aggression and threats of violence. WCI clearly and incontrovertibly reject such tactics and behaviour in democratic processes.

Gender-based quota system

Hafiz Noor Shams broaches an important but complex topic when he addresses the merits of a gender-based quota system. While we commend his call for the empowerment of women we regret his vagueness over it, neglecting to give any concrete positive suggestions. Meanwhile, Hafiz recommends against a quota system for women because, he thinks, such quotas undermine meritocracy, prevent the best talent from rising, and that racial/ethnic quotas have been damaging to Malaysia.

WCI demands for women’s rights to be represented in the Batang Ai By-Elections

The recent political campaigns of the Batang Ai by-elections had generated much attention to the socio-political problems faced by the communities in Sarawak. It was reported that the State Land and Survey Department of Sarawak is currently conducting a census in Batang Ai resettlement area to resolve the long-standing issue of land titles. This census is long overdue. The communities in Batang Ai were displaced by the construction of the Batang Ai hydro-electric dam in 1982. It is only after 27 years that the Sarawak government started to pay attention to this long-standing problem. Why has it taken so long for political will to bring about a response to these needs?

Stop the war on women’s bodies

The recent invasion to Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman and Selangor Executive Council member, Elizabeth Wong’s right to privacy, and the continuous usage of sexualised arguments to discredit public officials is completely unacceptable. Women’s bodies and sexual rights have been continuously targeted in our political landscape. From sexist and degrading comments by Members of Parliaments, to sexualised caricatures of political candidates during 2008 elections period, to the current violation of Wong’s right to privacy, we have seen women’s sexual rights being violated over and over again to further the interest of political parties.

Stop Gross Violation of Women’s Right to Privacy

Moral questions should not be raised against Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman and Selangor Executive Council member, Elizabeth Wong. The public should respect Elizabeth Wong’s privacy. She did not violate anyone else’s rights and her action has in no way created a public nuisance or violated the public order. The action of distributing photographs of her body was done with malice with no intention to safeguard anybody else’s interests. This is a gross violation of a woman politician’s right to privacy.

Supporting or Leadership Role: Women in the Kuala Terengganu By-Elections

The Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI) notes with concern the manner in which the Kuala Terengganu by-elections are being run by both the Barisan National (BN) and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) candidates. There was so much focus on race, hudud laws, and distributive justice vis a vis the State of Terengganu and the Federation of Malaysia. We have yet to hear from either one of the candidates’ what their specific plans are to elevate the status of 50% of their constituency: the women.

Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI) voices their opposition to the recent fatwa rulings on tomboys and yoga

The Women’s Candidacy Initiative opposes any form of regulating that undermines a person’s human rights and our Malaysian Parliamentary democratic processes. We note first that the recent fatwa rulings on tomboys and yoga go against the basic principles of any religion that first and foremost recognize the individual’s autonomy over her own mind, body, heart and soul.

End Discrimination, Vote Equality!

Press Statement
2 February 2008
End Discrimination, Vote Equality!
The Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI) is pleased to announce the candidacy of Zaitun (Toni) Mohamed Kasim for the upcoming12th General Elections.
WCI is a collaboration of women and men who believe that the political participation of women at every level of decision-making is vital to advancing and upholding the rights [...]

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