THE most logical and obvious solution to addressing pregnancies out of wedlock – sex education – still seems to escape our decision-makers and politicians, whose suggestions have not just become increasingly ridiculous but also highly punitive.
Ivy Josiah
“Child marriages” just a political game
THE recent announcement by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam that Muslim children in the state will be allowed to marry just boggles the mind. According to Ali Rustam, who is also Malacca Islamic Religious Council chairperson, allowing child marriages will help curb teenage pregnancy and baby dumping, and prevent pregnant teenagers from […]
WAO: No hidden agenda
KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Sept 2009: The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has strongly denied any hidden agenda in calling for concrete action to be taken against the rape of Penan women and girls, as implied by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. In a statement today, the WAO stressed that it was part of its responsibility as […]
Learning to be “unproper”
IVY Josiah is not the type of person to keep silent in the face of injustice. As the executive director of the Women’s Aid Organisation, she’s been at the forefront of the struggle to reform domestic violence laws and create shelters for battered women. Because of her outspokenness, Josiah is also often at the forefront […]
PAS should accept diversity
IS PAS ready for non-threatening, open dialogue with dissenting voices within civil society? The recent resolution by PAS to investigate and possibly ban the women’s rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) suggests that PAS needs a reminder to react democratically to opposing views. This is not an unfamiliar call that civil society and political parties […]
Promises to Penans unkept
“I want to bring women and family issues into the mainstream and I am not apologetic about them. I don’t see them as soft issues and I am proud to advocate them.” Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, campaigning for the Wanita Umno chiefdom before the party’s 59th general assembly. (Source: Shahrizat out to bring change, […]
“Penan task force report must be public”
PETALING JAYA, 27 May 2009: The task force report on sexual violence against Penan girls and women must be made public and not just disclosed partially, two women’s groups said today. “It is imperative that the government makes public the Penan task force report,” Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah told The Nut […]
Unclear if Penan report will be public (Updated 5.20pm)
Updated 5.20pm on 26 May 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, 26 May 2009: It remains unclear if the 2008 government-led task force report about sexual violence against Penan women and girls will be made public. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the report has reached her desk and was ready for […]
Shahrizat keeps mum on Penan report
PETALING JAYA, 19 May 2009: It has been almost six months since the Penan task force completed its investigations into allegations of sexual abuse against women in its community. Yet, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry continues to keep mum about when the 2008 Penan task force report will be released. Repeated calls by […]
