GENDER EQUALITY IN STUDENT POLITICS By Vince Tan A few days ago I participated in a Forum Titled “Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression” as the moderator at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya (UM). This comes after our “Solidarity4AzmiSharom” rally in UM on the 10th September 2014. The forum was one of the post-rally programs to continue creating the awareness on the selective prosecution towards citizens in this country using the Sedition Act as well as promoting the larger concept of Academic Freedom. An interesting question which I raise to one of the panellist was the unequal representation between male and female elected representatives in the Student Union. Despite having a female majority population of students in campus this does not translate to the same number of female elected representative in the Student Union. So what is the problem which deter female student participation in campus politics and student activism ? Could it be because of the male centric nature in the history of student activism in Malaysia itself ? We heard the legendary names of student activist such as Anwar Ibrahim, Hishamuddin Rais, Khong Kim Hoong, Syed Hamid Ali and others however where are their female counterparts? If you remember a few years ago there was a female student activist by the name of Soh Sook Hwa from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) who was charged the university regulations for campaigning for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Tian Chua in the 2004 General Election. She was sentence to a fine of RM 200.00 by the university and subsequently appeal to the Minister of Higher Education (now Minister of Education) but without success. She subsequently applied for Judicial Review over the University’s decision which went up to the Court of Appeal which rejected her application due to the amendment of Section 15 of the UUCA back in 2012. She failed to obtain leave from the Federal Court to pursue her appeal there therefore the trial was brought to a halt. However, she did manage to graduate from USM and is now moving with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) continuing her strive for a better Malaysia. I believe there is no shortage of talent when it comes to women participation in Student Activism or even Student Politics. What is bizarre is that the numbers which does not tally when it comes to proportionate representation based on gender. Is there a lack of media coverage on the activities of female student activism. ? Personally I don’t think so because back in 2013 Bawani K.S became an overnight sensation after the Listen Listen Listen video got viral on social media. Where is our Kak Listen today ? She is now an elected representative in the Student Union of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) as well as the Youth Chief for PSM. Take that for Girl Power !!! The media would simply cover any news which would make potential headlines for instance Emma Watson being United Nation’s (UN) Women Goodwill Ambassador and delivering her “game-changer” speech at the UN. I can rest assure you I am no feminist (accordance to the average man on the street’s definition), So why am I advocating for gender equality now? The answer is simple because of the need for meritocracy and equality to triumph above all. Lack of media coverage on female student activism and student politics is definitely not the case. Perhaps it might simply be the status quo issue originated from the time men start to walk this earth. There exists a stereotype believe that women are inferior to men and are suppose to stay at home to cook and take care of the family while the man of the house is responsible for putting food on the table. This is probably why should women be bother about things like politics or activism. However that does not guarantee that men are perfect in every sense and immune from making mistake and being incompetent. The participation of more women in Student Activism and Student Politics would be able to provide a strong competition to their male counterparts. If a female student leader can do a better job than a male student leader I see no reason why we should not replace the male student leader with his female counterpart. Thus, I am reminded of the issue on Dato Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the almost would be Mentri Besar of Selangor who did not qualify because she did not fulfil some criteria and someone else was appointed in her place. Let us pray that gender is not one of those criteria they use to select a Mentri Besar. It is time that the old status quo in a male dominated society be change to make way for a society that values meritocracy and equality encompassing gender, race and class.We definitely need more women in student activism and to hold positions as student elected representatives. If we can succeed in doing so we would be able to bring a whole new “game-changing” scenario to student activism and student politics. The “game-changing” scenario I meant is the empowerment of young female student activist to step up and increase their participation in student activism and student politics. With young female leaders taking leadership roles in varsity level we will soon be able to see the same in society out there be it in politics, business, finance or government sector. I write this article in hope that it can change the perspective of student politics and student activism. The manifestation of Dyana-Mania after the Teluk Intan By-Election earlier this year show us that young women leaders can be a breath of fresh air in the world of politics which is often related to dirty politics, character assassination and corruption. I think that Student Activism and Student Politics need is a new breath of fresh air too. *The writer is the Secretary General of Progressive University of Malaya. All opinion and views are personal and does not reflect the stand or position of any affiliated bodies or political party the writer is associated with.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:45:30 +0000
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