PRESIDENT’S_ADDRESS
It has been a gift
and honour serve as President of AWL, my first year in this role. I am thankful
for the unwavering support of the AWL Exco. We have shared novel experiences as
well as challenges which have taken us off the beaten path and beyond our usual
comfort zones. It’s been an
interesting journey.
For me personally,
there were many firsts. I learnt how to draft my first press statement, spoke at
my first press conference, attended meetings advocating for law reform with
policy-makers (on the Domestic Violence Act and the Child Act) and chaired
meetings comprising representatives from governmental and non-governmental
agencies for the Child Sexual Abuse SOP project. I also observed the marvellous
friendship and synergy of the women activists who make up the Joint Action
Group for Gender Equality (“JAG”), a coalition of
12 women’s groups. They are
tireless, strong and courageous.
I am grateful for
dedication and commitment of the AWL Exco. We work well as a team, with a
shared passion to carry out AWL’s main objectives.
These include:
•
To promote and increase the participation of women in all levels of
judicial, legal and public institutions.
•
To provide education, gender sensitization and awareness in legal and
related fields.
•
To monitor laws, legislation, policies and practice directions and to
advocate reforms that ensures promotion of equality and eradication of all
forms of discrimination against women.
•
To promote the adoption and implementation of international human
rights standards, principles and norms.
•
To provide a professional and social network for women lawyers and law
graduates in Malaysia
We draw our
inspiration from those who have paved the way before us. Our founding members,
Dato’ Noor Farida Ariffin
(former Ambassador to the Hague and G25 spokesperson), Tan Sri Dato Seri Siti
Norma Yaacob (our first woman Federal Court Judge) and Dato’ Ambiga Sreenivasan
(former Malaysian Bar President and co-chairperson of BERSIH, a coalition for
free and fair elections).
AWL is also
fortunate to have the continuing support of three of our past Presidents, Ms
Vicky Alahakone, Ms Foo Yet Ngo and immediate past-President, Ms Meera
Samanther.
Over the past year,
AWL has concentrated on the areas of law reform, advocacy and outreach to the
law colleges. It has been gratifying to see how each has taken form and the
Annual Report has set out comprehensively the work that we have done so far.
Today, I would like to highlight three projects:
a) The Child
Sexual Abuse SOP project – From July 2015 to
December, 2015, AWL had collaborated with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, WCC
Penang, various governmental agencies and Child NGOs to identify gaps in the
legal system and support services with the aim of creating a working together
document/SOP on handling children involved in suspected child abuse/child
sexual abuse. In January, 2016, AWL submitted a concept paper to YBGK (the
National Legal Aid Foundation), seeking to extend YBGK support for victims of
child sexual abuse, human-trafficking and domestic violence.
As a natural
progression, AWL is currently working on forming a team of lawyers to provide
watching brief support for survivors of child sexual abuse, to increase their
access to justice, provide them with a voice and to alleviate re-traumatisation
caused by the legal process. We have recently recruited six lawyers trained in “Child
Representation skills” to be part of the AWL CSA team.
b) The Human
trafficking project – AWL had organised a
series of talks to raise awareness and field trips to better understand the
needs of human-trafficking survivors:
•
27th January, 2015: AWL-KL Bar Activist Series: “Legal Case
Management Support for Victims of Human Trafficking” by Daniel Lo;
•
18th February, 2015: CNY visit to the shelter;
•
12th August, 2015: AWL-KL Bar Activist Series “Capacity Building for Lawyers to work
with Victims of Human Trafficking” by Anderson
Selvasegaram and Tharini Cecil of Suka Society, Goh Siu Lin and Daniel Lo
•
7th November, 2015: Deepavali visit to the shelter;
•
16th December, 2015: X’mas visit to the
shelter.
Originally, AWL
aimed to work with the relevant NGOs to provide victim-centred legal services,
such as pamphlets or videos on FAQs (legal process/ immigration/ ATIPSOM/
compensation). However, this project has to be put on hold due to events beyond
our control.
c) The Gender Equality Initiative is
a collaboration between AWL, the Malaysian Bar and local private law colleges.
Its aim is to create greater awareness amongst law students on gender equality.
Last year’s GEI highlighted
issues arising from “Gender Discrimination within the Learning Environment” and was very well
received by the law students. The GEI appears to have taken a life of its own
with more and more private law colleges and non-law colleges wanting to jump on
board.
For 2016, the theme
“Women in Leadership
Positions” was selected, casting a spotlight on the challenges that women face
when climbing up the corporate ladder, particularly the impact of gender
stereotyping and gender discrimination. The statistics reveal that women are
severely under-represented at the top levels of all sectors. We need to close
this gender gap, break down the barriers to leadership and enhance
opportunities for women to advance.
This year’s colloquium will take place on 14th
June, 2016 at Inti College. The GEI colloquium has been ably led by
Meera Samanther, Santhi Latha and Ida Daniella Zulkifili. Thank you!
“Why do we need AWL?”
I now move on to
address a question which I frequently hear when I invite lawyers to become
members of AWL. Many have questioned the
need for a society dedicated to women lawyers and law students.
To this, I say that
AWL provides a valuable platform for women lawyers to speak with a collective
voice in a supportive environment. AWL provides greater visibility to advocate
for focused change on issues that impact us as women lawyers as well as on laws
that impact women and children generally.
AWL has the
potential for a diverse and rich membership base for professional networking
and support. In the months to come, we hope to hold networking luncheons for
members. I have recently spoken to the “Gender and Inclusive Head” of an international
bank to speak at our inaugural lunch networking luncheon. So, stay tuned for
more details!
In addition, to
showcase the professional capabilities of women lawyers, AWL has in
collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Bar, organised a forum titled “Women in
Arbitration”. Three women
practitioners of differing seniority are featured, they are, Ms Tan Swee Imm,
Ms Elaine Yap (AWL member) and Ms Sharon Chong. So do pencil in 12th
of August 2016 into your diaries and give them your fullest
support.
I hope to see more
members coming forward to work with us in making a difference as we continue to
push the boundaries for women’s equality and
advancement both in the legal and non-legal spheres. To end, let me quote the
inspirational words of my favourite “badass” feminist, Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who when asked
as to how she would like to be remembered, said:
"Someone
who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her
ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little
better through the use of whatever ability she has. To do something........
outside myself. 'Cause I've gotten much more satisfaction for the things that
I've done for which I was not paid."
Thank you.
Goh Siu Lin
President,
Association of Women Lawyers
