SUHAKAM’s REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN 3.7 RIGHT TO EDUCATION 3.7.1 Based on available Government data,12 the Commission takes cognisance that in general, women in Malaysia have achieved a high level of academic and literacy rate. In tertiary education, for instance, gender parity can be seen in many major academic disciplines. However, there are gender gaps in technical courses including engineering, manufacturing and construction.13 3.8 RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT Recently, there have been some developments affecting women's rights to employment as follows: 3.8.1 Incorporation Of Sexual Harrassment Into the Employment Act (i) In 1999, the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace was introduced. However, the Code was not made compulsory. Statistics from the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources recorded that only 297 sexual harassment cases were solved from 1999 till 2010.14 The number of reported cases was significantly low, possibly because many cases could have gone unreported as victims are usually too embarrassed to relate these incidents to third parties more so in cases involving their superiors. (ii) It is essential to note that in the absence of a specific legislation on sexual harassment, these acts fall under the penal laws of Malaysia as provided under the Penal Code and, also the Employment Act 1955. (iii) In respect of public servants, they are bound by the “Guidelines on Handling Sexual Harassment at the Workplace in the Public Sector”- Service Circular No. 22 of 2005. 12 Quoted from Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Statistics on Women, Family and Community 2012, Malaysia. p. 35. Literacy rate for female in Malaysia (age 15 and above) is 91.4% in 2011. Based on Ministry of Education, enrolment in Government and Government-assisted higher educational institutions in 2011, there is 48.6% (1,362,883) female students in primary level, 50.1% (1,142,577) in secondary (lower and upper) level and 65% (82,148) in form six and matriculation level. 13 Ibid p. 42. 14 http://jtksm.mohr.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124%3Astatistik&catid=63%3Agang guan-seksual&Itemid=550&lang=ms 7