SUHAKAM’s REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON
ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
2.3
Currently, the remaining articles under reservation are 9(2), 16(1) (a), 16(1) (c), 16(1) (f) and
16(1) (g). The reasons given for the remaining reservations were that these articles are in
conflict with the Federal Constitution and Islamic Law.
3.0
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA
3.1
In addition to CEDAW, the other applicable international conventions, laws and national policies
related to women’s rights in Malaysia are as follows:-
(i)
International Labour Organisation Convention no. 100, Equal Remuneration Convention,
1951;
(ii)
International Labour Organisation Convention no. 29, Forced Labour Convention, 1930;
(iii)
National Policy on Women 1989;
(iv)
Amendment to Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution in 2001 to prohibit any gender
discrimination;
(v)
Second National Policy on women and the Women’s Development Action Plan in August
2009;
(vi)
The third goal of the MDGs which aims to promote gender equality and empower
women. The other MDGs related to women's issues are MDGs 4: reduce child mortality
and MDGs 5: Improve maternal health.
3.2
While noting the overall improvement of issues involving women’s rights in Malaysia, several
issues remain to be of grave concern and should be progressively addressed by the Government.
3.3
CEDAW’S TRANSLATION INTO DOMESTIC LAW
3.3.1
Apart from the amendment to Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, by which the word “gender”
was inserted as a prohibited ground of discrimination, there have been no significant initiatives
to incorporate CEDAW into domestic laws. Although in year 2010, the Government had initiated
some discussions in gathering input for a Gender Equality law, the fate of this law remains
unknown. The Commission calls on the Government, in consultations with stakeholders, to
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