Observing Policy Advocacy in Malaysia

Being in Malaysia allows us to observe and reflect on how citizens try to influence policy. Empower (a NGO)and SUHAKAM (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) with EU funding held a round table to report on Malaysia's progress in implementing CEDAW (Convention to Elimination All forms of Discrimination). I was able to attend and observe.

Invitations were sent to local women's and human rights NGOs and relevant government ministries. A Muslim NGO objected to the round table as a threat to Islamic values; as a result some civil servants may have decided not to participate. The push back on controversial issues, especially those involving gender identity, seem par for the course these days.

The schedule called for welcoming remarks and the authors' presentation of their papers on employment, family law, gender identity, and refugees (15 minutes each) followed by a tea break. The mid-morning tea break (and later lunch) may suggest a Malaysian obsession with food, but they can be far more. Informal exchanges of information take place and the foundation for new relationships are laid.

A staff member sat at the back transcribing the proceedings and entering the content of the posters. She will prepare a memorandum, send it to participants for their feedback, and then form an action plan. I observed similar note taking/transcription at the UN workshop and a Malaysian seminar on "Christianity and Women."

A table for each topic was set up for small group discussions. Participants were assigned to a discussion group (using color dots on their packets of materials). The groups rotated every 20 minutes, so all participants had an opportunity to voice their ideas on each topic. Even through some people stayed with their friends instead of their assigned groups, I was impressed with how engaged everyone seemed to be.

Women at Work

A  familiar work product?

The essays will be published in a report "Equality Under Construction." It should be ready in December.