The Women's Candidacy Initiative (WCI) strongly rejects the violation of women's sexual rights in public politics.

The recent invasion to Bukit Lanjan assembly person and Selangor executive council member, Elizabeth Wong's right to privacy, and the continuous usage of sexualised arguments to discredit public officials is completely unacceptable.

Women's bodies and sexual rights have been continuously targeted in our political landscape.

From sexist and degrading comments by members of Parliament, to sexualised caricatures of political candidates during the 2008 elections period, to the current violation of Wong's right to privacy, we have seen women's sexual rights being violated over and over again to further the interest of political parties.

The violation of women’s sexual rights in politics relies on arguments of morality and shame. The ability to control women's sexual body by political parties is taken to mean good governance. Conversely, the inability to control women’s sexual body by political parties is interpreted to mean bad governance.

In the process, a woman's ability to exercise control over her own body and to define her own sexuality is being violently removed. Instead, women's bodies become a place where the nation's struggles are fought over, where everyone else has a right to define and regulate.

This clearly demonstrates a lack of concern paid by decision-makers in this country over gender equality and women's right to autonomy, bodily integrity and self-determination.

At a time when the nation should be focussed on the promotion of women's participation in public and political life - women barely make up 10 percent of the total number of MPs - such tactics creates serious and damaging barriers.

If we continue to allow sexualised arguments to dominate our political landscape, we are allowing ourselves to be misled about the real issues facing our nation.

Based on the Global Gender Gap Index which measures women’s equality vis-a-vis men, Malaysia’s overall ranking has fallen from 72 in 2006, to 92 in 2007, to 96 (out of 130 countries) in 2008.

The Global Gender Gap Index captures the gap between men and women in the areas of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival.

WCI strongly rejects any further sexualisation of politics in this country. We demand that all parties instead take concrete action to promote, protect and realise all aspects of women's rights.

This includes sexual rights and the right to privacy. Through this, we can we build a truly democratic nation where every Malaysian, regardless of sex or gender, has the capacity to participate freely and meaningfully in public and political life.

The writer represents the Women’s Candidacy Initiative(WCI).