In Malaysia, the sexual harassment bill would soon be passed into law.
The new bill is designed to expand the legal options for survivors by creating a special tribunal, held behind closed doors.
Exterior of Malaysia’s parliament building with palm trees and a statue of the country’s first prime minister tunku abdul rahman
The sexual harassment bill is up for a second reading during the current session of parliament that ends next month.
At university, three years ago Esma* felt a persistent pain along her arm and went to the campus clinic.
When she lay on the examination bed, the medic asked her to unbutton the top of her dress. He said that a lump on her chest could be causing the pain and told her to lower her bra.
“I did what he asked me to do because there was nothing suspicious at first. I thought he was doing his job,” she told Al Jazeera.
She soon discovered otherwise.The medic told her she had beautiful breasts, kissing one and squeezing her nipples. It took about 30 seconds for her to fully comprehend what was happening.
“I didn’t say anything. I was too shocked,” Esma said. “I just sat up and dressed myself, and he sat back in his chair to write me a medical prescription for my arm – it didn’t mention the lumps. Then I left.”
Reports of sexual harassment are not uncommon in Malaysia, but despite the existence of various legal mechanisms, many women say effective redress is still lacking.
They hope the long-awaited Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, which had its first parliamentary reading in December last year, will soon become law. A second reading will take place this month.
“This bill would apply to any person, in any context,” said Daniella Zulkifili, from the Association of Women Lawyers, who had a hand in the bill’s drafting.
The legislation would broaden the current, piecemeal application of sexual harassment laws – going beyond the workplace to cover occurrences in any setting, such as educational institutions, clinics, public transport, sports clubs, even online.
For women’s rights activists, it has been a long struggle.
Initial discussions for more comprehensive laws on sexual harassment started in the 1990s.
But due to a lack of political will, real progress only took place when elections in 2018 led to a change in Malaysia’s government for the first time since independence.
Later political manoeuvres brought some of the old guard back to power, but the bill continues to move forward.
A man accused of sexual assault covers his face as he is escorted by a police officer at a court in Kuala Lumpur
Taking action on sexual harassment and assault under the Penal Code can be lengthy and traumatic for survivors
SOURCE: ALJAZEERA
