KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 – Malaysia has called on member states of the United Nations to focus on the important issue of violence against women and girls and not to be side-tracked by elements that are not universally accepted.
Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Datuk Hussein Haniff (pic)said that though a great amount of effort had been made, the challenge now was to ensure the policies, legislation and programmes remained relevant to the ever changing and challenging issue of violence against women and girls.
The text of his speech at the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, yesterday, was sent to Bernama here, today. Malaysia remained strongly committed to preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, Hussein said, adding that the issue was discussed and considered at the highest level in the country.
He said Malaysia had taken continuous steps to protect the rights of women and girls and to ensure their safety through constant improvement of policy framework, legislation, institutional framework and programmes.
He added Malaysia’s commitment in this matter was so resolute that it had made violence against women one of the 13 key sectors under the Plan of Action on the Advancement of Women.
“Malaysia’s seriousness is also evident with the number of amendments made to broaden the priorities and rights of the victims of violence.
“Among them are the amendments to the Penal Code, where wider definition of rape and stiffer penalties are given to those found guilty, amendments to the Employment Act, which now addressed sexual harassment at the workplace, and
amendments to the Domestic Violence Act with wider definition on domestic violence, which include emotional, mental and psychological abuse in addition to physical abuse,” he said.
Hussein also said that Malaysia would host the Global Summit of Women from June 6 to 8 in Kuala Lumpur. The summit will provide a platform to explore practical strategies and best practices in advancing women’s economic opportunities around the world.
He said the “Women Deliver 2013 Third Global Conference” which focused on the health and well-being of women and girls, would also be held in Kuala Lumpur, from May 28 to 30.
BERNAMA
