66TH SESSION OF THE
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN,
NATIONAL STATEMENT
BY
H.E. DR. MAZIAH CHE YUSOFF
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF
WOMEN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, MALAYSIA
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
17 MARCH 2022
Madam Chair,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.
Malaysia welcomes the discussion on achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction programmes and policies. This area certainly deserves attention, as no country including Malaysia is excluded from the devastating impacts of climate change.
2. A stark reminder was the major floods which affected the inland states of Peninsular Malaysia end of last year. The flood further cemented the necessity for disaster preparedness and the need to strengthen disaster risk reduction policies. As women and girls are more impacted than men in these situations, the Government has placed greater emphasis on women’s empowerment in these areas. This includes allocation for disaster relief assistance for the protection and wellbeing of disaster victims. The Government also worked closely with NGOs to help rescue stranded victims, place victims in relief shelters, aid in clean-up efforts, as well as ensure the availability of registered counsellors to provide psychosocial support services.
3. Acknowledging the vulnerability of woman and girls in such situation, Malaysia is also addressing issues relating to gender-based violence in the aftermath of disasters. We are currently enhancing laws that govern sexual harassment and discrimination against women. The sexual harassment bill, which is currently awaiting its second reading, intends to complement the existing justice system through the establishment of a special tribunal to handle sexual harassment and discrimination complaints promptly.
Madam Chair,
4. Malaysia is committed to ensure that women remain at the centre of the national development agenda through formulations of legislations, administrative mechanisms and programmes that support the empowerment of women. We recently announced the establishment of a National Council for Women as a platform to identify initiatives to empower women. Issues such as women’s leadership in the context of climate change and disaster relief reduction would be discussed at the Council.
5. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Malaysia’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions submitted in July 2021, has included mainstreaming gender in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction programmes, where gender-responsive approaches are applied. Climate change in addition to COVID-19 threatens to exacerbate poverty and inequality among women. This is not only the case for low-income earners in economic activities which are mostly affected by climate conditions such as agriculture in highly exposed suburban coastal areas, but it has also impacted women in informal jobs residing in urban areas. Mitigating the effect of climate change is a global effort that needs the collaboration of all governments to ensure sustainable development.
6. Involving women at the heart of these efforts is also a commitment to be upheld. Education on sustainability needs to begin at home with mothers empowered to make decisions impacting themselves and the family. Providing opportunities for girls in receiving formal education in the field of science, technology, engineering and maths will also enable more women to assume leadership roles in climate change adaption.
7. Moving forward, Malaysia will continue its focus on capacity building for women, to enable them to effectively and holistically participate in the areas of climate change, environmental and risk reduction policies and programmes.
Thank you.