Suhakam calls for Asean legal framework to tackle gender discrimination in business

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must work towards a cohesive and enforceable legal framework to eliminate gender-based discrimination in the business sector, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Vice-Chairperson Tengku Mohamed Fauzi Tengku Abdul Hamid today (June 30).
He said that the region still lacks binding legislation and institutional accountability to effectively address gender-related harms in business environments.
"Our legal frameworks remain fragmented. Without enforceable laws, gender equality continues to be more aspirational than operational," he said at the Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective on Business and Human Rights in Asean, here.
Tengku Mohamed Fauzi said that women in the region continue to face unregulated discrimination in recruitment, contract negotiations, and promotions, particularly in the private sector and without binding legislation and institutional accountability, gender equality remains aspirational and operational.
He added that the Asean Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, endorsed by all Asean member states, could serve as a foundation to address gender-specific issues, especially concerning migrant women in business contexts.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's Representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Edmund Bon Tai Soon, urged Asean to move beyond fragmented national efforts and adopt a shared regional framework that holds both governments and businesses accountable to clear and consistent gender rights standards.
"Having a legal framework is very crucial. We are a diverse region, but we must develop a framework, especially now that Malaysia has led the adoption of the new Asean Community Vision 2045, which commits to uplifting and protecting the rights of women and children," he said.
Bon also emphasised that beyond policies and laws, genuine progress requires strong political will and commitment from Asean leaders.
He said companies must ensure their internal policies reflect principles found in national laws and those policies must be respected in practice, not just on paper.
The two-day regional workshop, which began on June 30, explores how a regional gender lens framework can address gender-based barriers, confront structural and cultural discrimination, and strengthen the protection of the rights of women and girls across Asean.
The event is jointly supported by Asean Member States through the AICHR Fund, the Government of Japan through the Japan-Asean Integration Fund (JAIF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and organised in collaboration with Malaysia's ministries, agencies and Suhakam. — BERNAMA