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1998 Amendments to Guardianship of Infants Act PRESS STATEMENT BY DR OON HONG GEOK, NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON DAP WANITA AND STATE ASSEMBLYWOMAN FOR DAMANSARA UTAMA. 17.8.98. | |||||||
| Women's organisations have been fighting for the amendments to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961 because the law is archaic and discriminatory to women. Women have been playing a major role in bringing up children. In the first half of 20th Century Malaysian women have been dependent on their husbands. Husbands have been the sole breadwinner and head of the household, so the wives have submitted to them being the sole guardian of the infant child. As we approached the end of the 20th Century the situation has changed. The world is borderless. Women are educated and participating in nation-building. Families may be separated for many reasons. Usually the infant child is left under the care of the mother. Giving sole guardianship rights to fathers has resulted in much suffering | |
and inconvenience, both to the child and the mother. It is no longer acceptable that mothers are not given equal guardianship rights. The Government has dragged its feet in the amendment of the Act. The announcement by the Minister of National Unity and Social Development, Datin Paduka Zaleha Ismail, that the amendments to the Act will be tabled at the next sitting of Parliament, is certainly news that all women are looking forward to. DAP Wanita urges the Government to ensure that the Attorney-General's chambers will have the Act ready by the next sitting of Parliament as promised by the Minister. DAP Wanita also calls on the Government to have consultation with women's groups, including political parties, to ensure that there will be no flaws to the amendments. By Dr Oon Hong Geok | |||||
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