“It’s very important for us to be involved and to take action against violence against women. When you hear about abuse, stand up and get involved and don’t be afraid. Too many times, we are too quiet.”

ivy josiah interview 051208 3 In saying this, Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah called on everyone to do their part to ensure women are safe from violence, whether these be ministers at the reins of government or the ordinary man and woman on the street.

Appearing on Mkini.tv ‘Uncensored’ talkshow, she also said that while there has been progress as reflected in the passage of the Domestic Violence Act and the implementation of a programme for trainers of the National Service programme, there remains a lot to be desired in terms of public awareness.

At the level of hospitals and police beats and stations, for example, there are many government staff and personnel who are insensitive to the trauma suffered by rape and other violent crimes victims, said Josiah.

Part of the problem, she contended, lies in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry being spread so thin over many areas of work.

“I think the minister (Ng Yen Yen) herself is aware they have not delivered on all her promises. There’s been a lot of initiative, and the minister has very quickly put in place a lot of changes,” Josiah said.

ivy josiah interview 051208 2 “(But) We’ve seen how the ministry for women’s affairs became a ministry for women and family development, and then a ministry for women, family and community development. You’re looking after a lot of issues. There’s need to be specialisation,” she lamented to talkshow host Francis Paul Siah.

On the issue of the National Fatwa Council’s edict against tomboys, Josiah criticised the idea that non-Muslims should not comment on matters meant for Muslims.

‘I want to be who I am’

“As women, we are told from the moment we enter this world how to dress up, the way we walk, the way we talk, how we should do our hair, and whether we are feminine.

“There’s always a control of how women should behave. Part of what the women’s movement and rights is about how I want to be who I am,” said Josiah.

ivy josiah interview 051208 “It doesn’t matter whether they’re Muslim women or non-Muslim women, what matters to WAO is that they are women. If it affects Malay girls, then all of us have a right to speak up. I don’t work for the rights of Malay or non-Malay women, I work for women,” she added.

Ultimately, all men and women should decide on matters that effect them based on what their conscience tells them, she pointed out.

Commenting on the same fatwa council’s edict against yoga and the flak it received even from the prime minister and the Selangor Sultan, Josiah said it should not be the case that people should have to choose between listening to one or the other side of the issue.

“I’m not going to be the one to tell Muslims who they should listen to. At the end of the day, all people should listen to your own heart, your own conscience and have your own relationship with God.

“Some of us may not have a relationship with God, but I would certainly not advise people as to who they should listen to. I think you should listen to your own conscience and to your own heart,” said Josiah.

Watch Mkini.tv

Ivy Josiah on 'Uncensored' talk show