Malaysia has suffered a twofold blow in 2020. In February, a political crisis saw the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (Hope Alliance) coalition, barely two years after it came into power in the historical 14th General Election. A new Prime Minister and Cabinet were appointed with the formation of the current Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) ruling coalition, and significant consequences include the appointment of a new Speaker of Parliament.
Shadowing this political crisis is the COVID-19 pandemic, that has created a global economic shock of a magnitude unprecedented in modern times. How governments respond to the economic crisis will have far-reaching consequences for political participation and inclusion in the longer term. Times of crisis such as this are often worse for women as they are more likely to have vulnerable jobs, to work in the informal sector, to lack of social protection and to have less access to financial resources. What can be done?
Given these intersecting challenges, what are the implications for democratic governance and decision making in Malaysia in the long term? What are the prospects for the advancement of women’s human rights in this context? This discussion will explore various angles of the issue, and how parliamentarians and civil society could work together towards inclusive and gender sensitive solutions.
Monday 17 August
8pm to 10pm Malaysia time
1pm to 3pm UK time
Online event – registration coming soon
Chair:
Karen Lai, Programme Director, Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)Speakers:
Alex Simm, Representative of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Asia Senior Programme ManagerSyed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, MP for Muar & Former Youth and Sports MinisterKasthuriraani Patto MP, Member for Batu Kawan and Member of Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Gender Equality and Family DevelopmentYap Lay Sheng, Representative from Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Senior Research & Advocacy OfficerNisha Sabanayagam, Programmes and Operations Manager, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM
The post 17 August 2020: Democracy & Women’s Rights in Malaysia: Political & Pandemic Challenges appeared first on Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
https://www.wfd.org/2020/08/11/democracy-womens-rights-in-malaysia-political-pandemic-challenges/
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