Billboards Depicting Teresa Kok in a Sexist Manner

Press Statement
3 March 2008

Women's Candidacy Initiative condemns the Barisan Nasional billboards depicting Teresa Kok in a degrading and sexist manner.

Debates regarding the merits of opposing candidates are part of a healthy democracy, however, WCI condemns attacks that debase others on the grounds of their gender or sexuality. In the case of the billboards in question, the caricatures of Teresa Kok constitute a form of discrimination against women, wherein stereotypes are used to denigrate a female candidate running for public office.

If attacks such as these are to be permitted, this will make politics unattractive for women. These are attacks that men do not have to endure and which are particularly degrading for women. WCI's aim is to increase the participation of women in politics. This is an aim that Malaysia has committed itself to through the Ninth Malaysia Plan and Women's Convention (CEDAW). In line with this, WCI condemns the billboards in question.

Issued 3rd March 2008