AWAM Malaysia - Women's Rights and Feminist Activism

AWAM
No 85, Jalan 21/1
46300, Petaling Jaya
Selangor,
Malaysia

Tel +603 7877 4221
Fax +603 7874 3312

Visitors :

Lobbying & Advocacy > Rape

Rape is one of the most urgent issues faced by Malaysian women. In 2003 alone, there were 1,479 reported cases of rape. However, there are multiple problems faced by rape survivors to achieve justice from the legal system. AWAM recognises the gravity of this problem, and seeks to advocate for the reform of laws related to rape through heading the Anti-Rape Task Force.

Chronology of AWAM's Anti-Rape Task Force Campaign:
Date	Issue
April 2000	AWAM presents the Attorney General with a proposal to amend the laws relating to rape. These amendments are based on research carried out by AWAM in 1998-99.
September 2001	The first national consultation on the proposed amendments to the laws relating to rape is held. This leads to the formation of the Anti-Rape Task Force, which comp rise s representatives from AWAM , Sisters in Islam (SIS), Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), PS the Children and Women's Crisis Centre (since renamed Women's Centre for Change) (WCC).
December 2002	The Anti-Rape Task Force holds a meeting with officers of the Ministry of Women and Family Development (now the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development) to inform them about the proposed amendments to the laws relating to rape.
February to September 2003	The Memorandum on Proposed Amendments to Laws Related to Rape is first presented to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, and then to the Attorney General. Later, a meeting is also held with the media to highlight these proposed amendments.
September to October 2003	Meeting with women MPs to present the memorandum and to lobby for support for the proposed amendments. Also meets with male MPs from various political parties to explain the Anti-Rape Task Force's position and sends a letter to supporters of Barisan National.
August to October 2004	The Joint Action Group against Violence against Women submits two memoranda to the Parliamentary Select Committee for Amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code in 2004. The first is the Memorandum on Amendments to Laws Related to Rape, presented in August. The second memorandum contains comments and recommendations on the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2004 and Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2003, Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act, domestic violence and marital rape legislation, and is presented to the Select Committee in October 2004.