The Women's Agenda for Change committee has sent letters of commitment to 193 members of parliament, asking them to adopt 30 initiatives honouring women within a certain time frame.

WAC co-ordinator Maria Chin Abdullah told a press conference today the programme has been endorsed by 88 organisations which comprise hundreds of thousands of members.

Maria said one initiative is that the MPs should link up democratic rights to encompass gender equality.

"We want the increase of democratic space, amendment of and repealing all discriminatory laws including the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and Universities and University Colleges Act, and the revival of local council elections," said Maria.

The document detailing the programme focuses on issues of women, actions to be done, the time frame and what the MPs should do to implement the programme.

This is the second time WAC is pressing the MPs for a commitment, and if these MPs fail to respond, "report cards" on them would be publicised, said WAC.

A year ago, the initiative was launched but only 13 MPs (four from Barisan Nasional and nine from the opposition) responded. None of the endorsees were women MPs.

"We hope that this time, there will be a better response," said Zainah Anwar of Sisters in Islam (SIS), which is also in the organising committee.

Meera Samanther of Women's Aid Organisation said that the programme focuses on women's issues such as development, participatory democracy, culture and religion, violence, land, health services, law, work, AIDs and the environment.

"The issues are interwoven; for example, if there is more participation by women in decision making, then it will pave the way for democracy and betterment of women in this country," said Meera.

Derogatory statements

SIS' Zainah said that top leaders such as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PAS Mursyidul Am Nik Aziz Nik Mat should refrain from making derogatory statements pertaining to women.

"Let's face it. We are a patriarchal society. Even the most liberal and western educated man still believes women are not equals," says Zainah, adding that pressuring elected politicians is one way towards promoting gender equality.

Another target is the appointment of women as Syariah Court judges and gender sensitisation courses for newly appointed judges, police recruits, medical officers and staff of welfare departments.

WAC is also looking forward to the formation of the all-women caucus in the parliament, which was mooted by the opposition women MPs and has yet to gain support from MPs in the ruling coalition.