WOMEN just cannot be left alone, can they, if the recent chastity belt talk is any indication. The remark by a religious figure, Abu Hassan Din Al-Hafiz has not only earned the wrath of the women folk but also shows the depth of chauvinism still embedded in the minds of the men.

Without so much as blinking an eyelid, Abu Hassan stated that women should get back to wearing the chastity belt to help protect them and reduce sex crime rate in the country.

It is indeed a sad day for Malaysia when the least erudite individuals take it upon themselves to 'educate' the people on issues so sensitive such as violence against women. The audacity of these people to even speak on the issue of crime against women is perplexing!

In the case of Abu Hassan, it is clear that he is not the least knowledgeable about the specifics of what causes a man to rape. As a religious figure, Abu Hassan should have the presence of mind to not play the blame game in any way.

While it is good to know that Abu Hassan is concerned about the increasing sex crime rate, he however has missed the point completely in tackling crimes such as rape and incest.

To the likes of Abu Hassan, the chastity belt may seem a 'quick fix' solution to difficult issues concerning violence against women. If women must wear the chastity belt to so-call protect themselves, then what best must men wear to keep their thoughts from running amok (if you know what I mean).

Placing the burden of personal safety on women solely is definitely not going to reduce sex crime rate in Malaysia. For the truth is that such crimes are perpetrated by men, therefore it is them who must first and foremost be dealt with.

When inaccurate statements on an issue so important are made by 'unqualified' people such as Abu Hassan, one should not get excited in receiving their words as the gospel truth.

Know your stuff

It is bad enough that men are still treating women like playthings, but it is utter humiliation when topics on women and protection are regarded as a joke, as was the case with Abu Hassan who later came around and said he was joking about the chastity belt issue. His cowardly reaction was a result of the bombarding he received from women's organisations in the country.

Abu Hassan obviously is not the least bothered about the repercussions of his ill conceived statement. To later conveniently claim it was a joke is unacceptable, especially when such a remark is made in his capacity as a religious person. Obviously it was a case of Abu Hassan shooting his mouth off without knowing what he was talking about.

This incident involving Abu Hassan and his not knowing his stuff must serve as a lesson to other individuals who might harbour such intentions of 'preaching' to the public. It also reflects the much rooted prejudice held by men against women. The men's refusal to accept responsibility in the perpetration of crimes against women has to stop.

In this matter, outfits like Man.V, a male-member only group set up under the watch of woman's group All Women's Action Society, must diligently play a role in raising awareness among their male peers on the issue of violence against women.

It is only befitting that Man.V and the likes do justice to their reason d'etre by taking the initiative to constantly educate men on respecting the rights of a woman and eradicating gender-based violence in the country.

Sadly, the men in Malaysia have very little to say when it comes to educating one another on issues affecting women. The couldn't-care-less attitude held by the men must be shed if they are to garner any respect from the female fraternity.

Unity in tackling crimes

Instead of pressuring women to take precaution through the use of chastity belt, Abu Hassan should stay focused and make a call for the men to treat women with reverence.

In this regard, it should be a case of 'charity begins at home' where Abu Hassan must set a good example by according respect to women. Unfortunately this failed to happen when Abu Hassan through his words hinted of 'safeguarding' the women from outside preys through the use of chastity belt.

To constantly make the women scapegoats and allow the men to get away scot-free is only going to create a society replete with 'beasts' of all shapes and sizes.

Whilst Malaysia has set many a records of achievements, its most gruelling task will be to make Malaysia safe for women. Then and only then will it be a real story of Malaysia Boleh!