AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings AWAM Feminist Camp Katak Di Bawah Tempurung No More!

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings AWAM Feminist Camp Katak di bawah tempurung no more!

Book of Proceedings

Further Explorations on Feminism in Malaysia January 29-31, 2016, Port Dickson, Malaysia

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Contents 1. Introduction 3

2. Sessions

Climate Change and Feminism 6 Cutting The Vagina - FGM & Circumcision 6 Do We Treat Women’s Labour in a Feminist Way? 7 Fandom & Feminism 8 Feminism & Capitalism - Putting Our Money Where Our Mouths Are 9 Feminism & Pornography or BDSM (Can Pornography be Feminism) 9 Feminism and Emotions (Hypersensitivity vs. Desensitisation) 10 Gender and Education 11 Gender Inequality as the Sole Cause of Feminist Issues 11 Gender Roles in Reproduction Health and Contraception 12 How Relevant Extreme Feminism in Malaysia and the Practicability of Feminism in Malaysia 13 I’m a feminist but… 13 Is There Gender Inequality at Your Workplace 14 Islam’s Point of View on Feminism, Islamic Authorities and Human Rights 15 Kau Perempuan - Padan Muka! 16 Marital Rape, Domestic Violence, Rape 16 Men & Feminism 16 Men and the Spaces They Take Up 17 Motherhood & Working Women 18 Religion & Sexuality 19 Religion & Feminism 19 Sexuality & Feminism 20 Situation of Married Migrants in Malaysia 21 Transgender Lives in Malaysia 21 What is the Issue with Feminism and How to Overcome It 22 Why are Marginalised Communities Expected to Perform Free Labour When it Comes to Educating 22 the Masses Why Women Themselves don’t Support Feminism - How to Advocate Feminism to Everyone 23 Women & Media 23 Women in Politics and Top Management 24 Women Who Have Abortions Are Murderers 25

3. Closing Circle 26 4. Five principles of Open Space Technology (OST) 27 5. List of 2016 Feminist Camp Participants and Organising Committee 28 6. Acknowledgments 28

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Introduction

After the resounding success of the first Feminist Camp, the Feminist Camp Organising Committee (FCOC) of AWAM was inspired to hold a second Feminist Camp in 2016 from January 29th-31st. The first Feminist Camp affirmed the value of “creating and holding space” for conversations about feminism in the context of Malaysia. In this second Feminist Camp event, we decided to hold the main theme from the previous camp, Katak Dibawah Tempurung No More, and changed the sub-title to Further Explorations of Feminism in Malaysia.

Using the insights we gained from running the first camp, we tweaked the programme to enhance the balance of self-organized and organiser facilitated spaces. Returning to Port Dickson, this year’s event brought together a total of 47 participants as compared to last year’s 38. The event was designed once again using Open Space Technology (OST), as this methodology had proven so successful in eliciting the highest possible self-organising, freedom and choice in participants. OST presupposes that participants have the best possible learning when they are able to decide upon, lead and engage in their own conversation topics.

This year, a total of 30 topics were put up and convened by participants ranging from serious political and economic issues such as climate change, corruption and capitalism to longstanding feminist concerns such as reproductive rights, pornography, sex work, violence against women, labour rights, media and religion to more contemporary issues such as fandom and men and feminism.

Participants engaged in these discussions based on their interests and passions and were encouraged to delve deeply in these topics, how they affected the live of the most marginalized and how gender intersects with issues of sexuality, class, ethnicity, and religion.

The participants enjoyed two and a half days of intense interactions and camaraderie including conversations on the beach after the formal sessions were over. The feedback received from participants confirmed that the Camp provided an open and safe space for topics of discussion that people may not commonly have been comfortable talking about in other spaces.

We hope to continue hosting more Feminist Camps in the upcoming years and creating more spaces for people to explore feminism within the Malaysian context in ways they never thought possible before.

A word on the Feminist Camp organisers

This second AWAM Feminist Camp continued to be a part of AWAM’s Membership Development Committee’s (MDC) programme to bring the conversation of feminism in Malaysia to the fore both in AWAM and in society. The Feminist Camp Organising Committee (FCOC) for this camp was a subcommittee that was structured to include previous

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings participants and other AWAM members. A couple of the original members of the first FCOC were not able to participate in organising this second camp, but we had a couple of new members including AWAM interns. The process of organising was once again an exhilarating, challenging but wonderful experience, and we learned as much as we did about ourselves as a team as we did about what it takes to pull off the organising an event such as this one.

Overall Process of the Camp

Similar to the first Camp, this event began on a Friday afternoon with most of the participants arriving to the Regent International School in Port Dickson in the afternoon. Room keys were distributed and participants registered their presence at the event, had some tea and had time to explore their home for the next two and a half days. After this, we held a facilitated session where participants were led through an ice-breaker game, a round of introductions, setting group norms and creating space for participants to speak about their expectations.

After dinner, an evening session was held to surface a conversation about feminism in Malaysia. We organised participants into small groups, and each group was given a set of words that they needed to use to create a short skit about gender relations in Malaysia. This resulted in 6 unique and highly creative skits – that generated laughter, empathy, connection and a deeper level of conversation. The small group work also gave participants the opportunity to further get to know each other and engage each other in conversations about feminist perspectives on gender relations in Malaysian society.

Day 2 and Day 3 were shaped entirely by Open Space Technology (OST). A typical OST even begins with everyone sitting in a large circle facing each other. The facilitators walk in the inner space of the circle while explaining the process. The space was “opened” by the two facilitators for this meeting, Susanna George, who gave instructions in English, and Thency Gunasekaran, who explained the process in Bahasa Malaysia. Participants were invited to suggest the topics that they were most passionate about under the theme, “Katak Dibawah Tempurung No More: Further Explorations of Feminism in Malaysia.

Once topics were decided and the agenda wall was filled for the two days participants were free to choose which of the workshops they wanted to attend. Participants had been informed by the facilitators of the five principles of OST namely:

 Whoever comes are the right people  Where ever it happens is the right place  Whenever it starts is the right time  Whatever happens is the only thing that could have  When its over its over As simple as these principles sound at the outset, they establish the norms for a complete mind-set shift in participants. Rather than being told what to discuss and directed as to how to discuss a topic, participants are left with a great deal of choice. The agenda is determined

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings by the participants themselves, and they take responsibility for their own experience. If embraced in its fullest sense, participants realise that they have choice, can self-determine their degree of participation, and do not rely on the organisers to make the meeting a learning experience. Instead, participants steer and shape their own experience, and the quality of the conversation is determined by the participants themselves.

Besides the five principles, there is one “Law” known as the “Law of Two Feet/Mobility.” The Law of Two Feet states that when a person feels that they are no longer contributing to a conversation or a conversation is not contributing to their own learning, they have the responsibility of getting up and leaving the conversation. This too goes against what is normative in meetings, and certainly in the Malaysian context, where politeness is of premium importance. Even so, this Law is what enables people to participate on the basis of choice, and this is fundamentally a feminist and liberatory concept.

Day 2 concluded with participants gathering back into the big circle and engaged in a sharing of insights in a process known as the Evening News plenary. During this half hour session, participants get to share with each other the highlights of the day with each other. Notes are produced from each of the topic workshops, and these notes, known as Convenor’s Notes are put up on the News Wall. Participants are encouraged to read through these comments and find out from each other what the sessions they did not attend were about.

The evening of Day 2 was left unstructured for participants to self-organise. Participants did a range of things in the free time: some hung out on the beach chatting or swimming or playing the guitar into the wee hours of the morning, others played board games or games they invented along the way, and many of the conversations that began in the morning continued to deepen through the evening.

Day 3 began with an opportunity for participants to name new topics for discussion in the workshop groups. After two more rounds of conversation in the morning, participants had the opportunity to indicate using dots on the Convenor’s Sheets the topics that they found the most interesting and the most worth pursuing. After this, the convenors of the topics with the most votes were invited to hold another round of conversation to develop a set of actions that could be taken as a follow up to the Feminist Camp.

This final round of conversation resulted in action plans and the commitment of different participants to continue meeting beyond the Feminist Camp. The meeting drew to a close with a Closing Circle, a classic way in which OST events are closed. In the Closing Circle, each participant has the opportunity to share something by way of closing, and this is done by passing around a symbolic “talking stick.” Like everything else, this too is a process where choice is exercised, and participants are given the option of speaking or not, depending on how they are feeling. The only guideline that everyone is given is that participants give their full attention to the person holding the talking stick. Readers can get a sense of some of the interesting remarks that emerged from the Closing Circle on pg. 26.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Sessions:

Climate Change & Feminism

Key Points :  Unsustainable form of farming/capitalist  impact of globalisation  Organic farms use insects to protect from pests (permaculture)  natural ecosystem  Is there any relationship between climate change and feminism?  Impact of climate change effects women and children most  Most vulnerable in most sense i.e. monetary, right, access to resource, education  Buddhism and environmental protection  Naomi Klien environmental activist: The shock doctrine  Vandana Shiva physicist: Earth Democracy  Christian Felber: The Economy for the Common Good  Capitalist opportunity after climate change event/disaster (Hurricane Katrina  charter/private schools)  decentralize power  Thai NUN planted 10,000 trees to replenish devastated forest  Gobi Desert: reclaiming land from desert  Limited spaces for women by cutting down women influence linked to their land/trees  Trees communicating with each other to protect each other – through roots & devastated through genetically modified/monoculture

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Sustainable farming  Women plan long term  Traditional/natural ecosystem of farming  Community farmingexchange garden  Guerrilla farming/ gardening  Gender lens and climate change  larger scale influence  Sanya Reid Smith (TPPA)(TPPA Briefing to NGOs) and good governance women in policy making

Cutting the Vagina: FGM & Circumcision

Key Points:  There is Fatwa on FGM but it is not gazetted: - There is a national Muzakarah of Muslim Scholars that issued a statement on JAKIM Website / National Fatwa has encouraged the practise of FGM by declaring that : o FGM and Khitan (Female Circumcision is not the same) o Provided a hadith saying that the Circumcision (which may also refer to male circumcision) is encouraged.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

o The Muzakarah fell short in giving a religious ruling / fatwa but the wording used can be mistaken to say that is an important Muslim ritual that must be conducted provided that it does not endanger the life of the baby.  People’s perspective > to suppress female sexual urges.  Net work with Medical Doctors to understand what is their practise and what procedures that they follow. Understand why they are helping to conduct FGM on babies. Document the cases and find an approach to stop FGM especially from a medical point of views  Only grown adult women should be allowed to decide to make any changes on their bodies.  Dialogues on FGM should be conducted by Progressive Muslim Groups and Feminists Groups / Associations/Activists with Muslim parents, doctors and Muslim Scholars so we can understand what the purpose and effects of FGM on female babies.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Talk with medical doctors who conduct FGM – naturally.  Self-awareness on body parts & both men and women.  No circumcision children or babies.  Wording be careful.

Do We Treat Women’s Labour in a Feminist Way?

Key Points:  Women’s labours discussed are domestic worker and migrant worker.  Employer (women esp.) don’t treat domestic worker in a humane way.  Different countries have a solid legislation and regulation to protect worker’s right. Their workers are allowed to form a union and union are ensuring their right are protected. HK = union exist (better compared to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore), Taiwan = labour’s law, Singapore = rule to protect labour.  In Malaysia, domestic worker are treated in a terrible way ;some of them been ‘imprisoned’ for not owning proper documentation, some are subjected to manipulation by people since they are not covered by law such as don’t get holiday, have to work extra hours but not getting paid, their salary deducted for illegal or petty reason (such as arriving the workplace late)  Government impose unfair law towards employees.  Thus, women’s labours in our country (especially non-citizen) are vulnerable to mistreatment by their employee.  Employer (here focusing women in Malaysia) feels discriminated and treated badly by patriarchal culture but on the same time didn’t realise that they also treat their domestic worker not any better.  This is where class and privilege comes into picture which women with higher class rank didn’t face the same experience with women with lower class rank, and it is worse if they are the one who perpetuate patriarchal culture to their employee.  We have to do deep inquisition on ourselves about how we do treat other less-privileged women and always be remindful to be considerate about them as they are also women and human with feelings.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Need for a clear cut contract between employer’s & employees.  Need of tribunal, counsel, chance for voicing rights, government to take up responsibilities.

Fandom & Feminism

Key Points:  2 types of fandom-male dominated fandoms where they discuss/argue canon vs. female- dominated transformative fandoms where we transform media through fan works.  Space for women/other marginalized people to express themselves where they are not represented in media.  Relating to female characters-why do we find male characters more appealing? (Internalized misogyny?) o Femslash vs. flash (female/female shipping vs. male/male shipping-latter more popular)  Creating vs. supporting women’s production-the benefits of transforming media as opposed to replying on representation.  Strong women characters-not enough, constricted to certain genres and love triangle as a device commonly applied to heroine characters as a way of centralizing male stories.  Media’s psychological impact o Help/save us in life o E.g. saying David Bowie’s music saved me vs. actions of celebrity- Bowie raped 13 year old girl.  Rape in fan-fiction o “don’t like, don’t read” o Rape as a plot point to build character development and fetishizing rape.  Impact of women’s representation-positive impact.  Creators taking credit for work/labour of female fans.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Write more fan-fiction.  Commit to creating a safe space-talk about these issues.

Feminism & Capitalism: Putting Our Money Where Our Mouths Are

Key points:  The market predates capitalism  Competition + consumption  Accumulation of money and resources  Optimal allocation of resources

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 Making the most use of people/see people as commodities; vulnerable groups (women) as cheap labour  Making money  Propagates idea of private property which includes people  Flow of resources from poor to rich countries  Producing surplus; this also happened with communism - no market to determine  Doesn’t actually provide equality of opportunity - those with resources stand ahead. Inequality is inherent in capitalism  Why did communism fail? Does it work on a large scale level?  Has never been properly practiced i.e. China and USSR did not actually practice it  Collectivism was not practiced within the system  Globally, capitalism is in place. Even with foreign aid - not enough  Let the market do the work and government intervenes for redistribution  What is the optimal situation? Basis of human rights and social justice? How do we value people? We live in a capitalist world (currently)  Melayu Nusantara - commune where all are fed  Different for innovation and competition  Value of money above all else i.e. prices of medicine go up instead of innovating to produce more but producing medicine costs money, need to reimburse

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Need to re-imagine  Competition that produces in a sustainable way in which there is enough and there is no wastage  How do we reduce wastage/GHG  Problem is prioritizing of profits/value given to profit-making  How to challenge a system that props you/us up (as feminists)?  Respect for labour  Failure of government; corporations are richer than the government and this is a problem  Government and societies - balance corporations to distribute wealth  Living in communes/Star Trek World  Women’s movement needs to engage with corporations  Critique of “”Lean In” - but can use their platform to talk about feminism

Feminism & Pornography/BDSM (Can Pornography be Feminism)

Key points:  Pornography could be a feminist thing because people choose to do look at it on a feminist point of view and not from mainly a men’s view.  Feminist pornography i.e. director Erika Lust (A director who makes exotic movies to promote feminist pornography movement)  Cannot be feminist because it is mainly created by men for men. Men, who make porn, make it in a way that it would benefit and give pleasure to other men to watch it.  Internalise elements of porn. (Porn only mainly shows a man and a woman engaging in a sexual act and only to the extend to the men reaching climax.)

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 Helps people understand and come to sexual realization. (Help people to understand parts of body and what is involved in sex)  Reduces women to sexual beings. (By making mainstream porn, women are just seen as sexual beings for the use of men to enjoy sex) ~ Is this a problem with porn as an industry or of mainstream media?  Objectification of women happens more than of men. More parts of women shown in porn than men parts. The porn videos are focused on women’s reactions rather than the men.  The public is divided into two sides; pro-pleasure (that people should be allowed to do what they want and enjoy the pleasure that come with sex) vs. anti-pornography (that sex is something personal and should not be shown to the public)  Can we use it as a tool to challenge and dismantle patriarchy?  We can and are seeing the changes  How are the production processes like i.e. who is involved, is there content?  Notion of choice (primary choices have been constructed through the system)  Can hypersexualisation be liberating for women i.e. Disney celebrities? (Some women take being hypersexuality as a way to feel more confident about the way they look and feel about their body)  Example of pornographic stories which is mainly of a women’s journey : Savita Babhi (A pornographic cartoon character, housewife)

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Create spaces to critically think

Feminism and Emotions (Hypersensitivity vs. Desensitisation)

Key points:  Marginalised communities always seen as overemotional, oversensitive, leads to most people in these communities having mental issues  Are they actually mental ill for feeling/reacting to oppression/aggression/abuse, or are other people (whom are not from that community) just desensitised?  Is it possible to not be oversensitive but still be empathetic, humane and kind? Does kindness not come from being sensitive to things? How and can anyone be concerned about something (whether or not they are marginalised) without incurring repercussions to mental health/safety?  Why do people choose to detach themselves from part of certain marginalised communities/movements i.e. feminism, LGBTQA rights with saying “I’m not a feminist/ I don’t need feminism but I believe in…” & “I support LGBTQIA rights but I’m 100% heterosexual and not open to being anything otherwise.  Are marginalised people with mental illness actually normal but diagnosed as such due to society’s desensitisation of emotions, or are actually mentally ill?

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 Critical of psychology –‘psychology’ as an industry, medicalisation to benefit pharma/medical/ therapist professionals, medicalisation to “fix” people to be productive for work but does not address roots of emotional problems –strengthen spaces for respectful conversations on emotions and communal support as well as medical options and personal therapy.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any): -

Gender and Education

Key points:  Children nowadays are no longer as innocent as last time. These days, they can find anything from the internet.  School and internet can play a role in sex education, include gender.  What the syllabus now is lack of gender view. Children are taught the gender binary (men and women only). They are not taught about genders other than just men and women.  The schools have a hidden curriculum  They teach the children to properly act like a boy or girl. Boys and girls to conform to stereotypes and they end up being confined into men and women only.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Curriculum should address the violence issue. Domestic violence and rape.

Gender Inequality as the Sole Cause of Feminist Issues

Key points:  Feminism is gender equality (both genders to be treated the same)  When genders are not treated equally e.g. women are discriminated, that’s when feminism issues come up (same issues come up based on religion) o Abortion – women victimize o Rape marital rape – women victimize  Women oppressed/women as chattel (pre dates capitalism)  Men miss fake privilege as rights  A world where we are not identified as men or women but just HUMAN  What are the differences between men and women other than reproductive organs and hormones? We have the same knowledge, skills, feelings capacity so why are we treated differently? How did women end up being oppressed and objectified by men? Why men believe they should control women?

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  To create more awareness on equality

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Gender Roles in Reproduction Health and Contraception

Key points:  Power relations in sex. (Men are usually in power in sex and men can usually choose how they want to have sex or whether they want to use contraception)  Women usually with more burden. (A man does not need to worry of a pregnancy as it would not affect them directly. Unlike the man, a woman needs to worry each time she has sex, in worry, if she gets pregnant.)  Men’s family Jewds emphasised.  Family planning services not publicised. (In Malaysia, family planning is not well informed to families nor are their services publicised, making it difficult for the public to know of it and plan according)  Why so much emphasis on FP for women? (Usually when it comes to Family Planning, it is the women who is told to take contraception pills and to count her menstrual cycle)  Vaging as tool of politics. (Whenever a woman tries to take a stand on something or make a change, it is common for the people in power to start the argument on gender to keep women to under power.)  Patriarchy system: medicine, supply, doctors, health science. ( A sense of men supremacy in the system)

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Improves awareness and information on where to access contraception to both men and women.  Skills on negotiating sex and protection. (Men and women should talk before having sex and planning the protection they use)  Vagina monologues  Education on having a say over own bodies. (Education should be given everyone on what are their body and the precautions that they should take)  Language and legal status in the case of traffic chirp is a barrier for the migrants to access services (Domestic violence support, counselling, police etc.)  Children may turn on migrant parent, as it is difficult to be a migrant and there are less benefits/opportunities able for them.  Risk of paedophilia, sold unto prostitution?  Foreign Spors support groups. (There are foreign groups which come and support groups which work on family planning and reproductive rights.)

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

How Relevant Extreme Feminism in Malaysia and the Practicability of Feminism in Malaysia

Key points:  'Meninism': anti-feminism ('Meninism' is semi-satirical gender equality and men's rights movement. Its followers are known as 'Meninists'.)  Equally 50/50 in the industry due to biological factor  Convention of Elimination Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) a convention by the United Nations which has been ratified by Malaysia, but not fully adopted.  Nofadhilah case – She was terminated her employment due to the fact that she was pregnant. The court found the Education officer wrong and they were told to pay Nofadilah damages for their wrongful dismissal.  Issue in Iran – to be monosexual (Monosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction to members of one sex or gender only. A monosexual person may identify as heterosexual or homosexual.)  History on Gunung Bra  Starts to educate your family on stereotype. (To change a mindset, one must always start from their own homes and with the younger minds)  The issues on having equal paid, equality, and violence against women should always be raised to maintain awareness on such issues.  In rural area, the women may not have opportunities to be heard  Working conditions: more wages, safe environment  Issue on violation of human right (education) in Rumah Perlindungan  Religious bodies abuse the power they want by discriminating women into conforming the way they want women to be.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Negotiates power  Not assuming roles in heterosexual marriage  It’s relevant as it pools people together  Gives people to make reference

I’m a Feminist but…

Key points:  I think women are annoying drivers.  Some people may not think I am.  Actually, I’m not ready to call myself a feminist.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 I objectify men/women.  I watch porn.  I don’t know what to do about it.  I don’t think all feminist spaces are “feminist”.  Some feminists are too extreme.  I may not agree with other feminists.  Women aren’t homogenous/ may strands of feminist  I don’t identify as a feminist (not a noun, it’s a verb).  Sometimes, I ascribe to gender stereotypes.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  We are all feminists-in-progress.  We have to be aware and unlearn all our internalised biases/ stereotypes.

Is there Gender Inequality at Your Workplace?

Key points:  How do you assess an employee’s KPI who’s gone on maternity leave?  Gender stereotypes on woman-less calm but more attentive.  Gender inequality o May sometimes be a misconception.  Environment: o Working hours, o Interaction with co-workers o Crude jokes.  Gender bias on capability.  “Old boys club” mentality-networking at Golf clubs.  Mother’s role may affect productivity at work- o Need more flexibility.  Lesser visibility/network/opportunity missed as pregnant employees.  To maintain an appearance (make up, dressing) that is beyond professional standards.  Sexual harassment: o Verbal o Expectations on dressings.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Family support benefits provided to both men and women.  To inculcate father’s role to take care of family needs too.  Challenge patriarchy through education.  Create new norms & disrupt existing patriarchal norms.  More women representation in senior management.  Buy in from male colleagues/inclusive engagement.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Islam’s Point of View on Feminism, Islamic Authorities and Human Rights

Key points:  Marital rape is a serious issue of concern.  Issues on “Halal” certification and how it is mainly used to gain profit. It costs a lot to apply for and get the certification  The effects JAKIM has on non-Muslims in Malaysia i.e. quoting a statement by JAKIM, “tidak menutup aurat invites rogol”  JAKIM should be abolished; no similar bodies in other countries/European region  Refer to scholars but come up with our own interpretations  The act of JAKIM spying on people partaking in sexual activity should not be condoned  Muslims in Malaysia have become more conservative in recent times. In the 60s, 70s, they were more liberal in their thinking, their lifestyle, their dressing  Respect transgender communities and their issues  There is no compulsion in Islam. However, Malays in Malaysia are not given the option to be non-Muslim because the Federal Constitution states that Malays must be Muslims. This is a contradiction.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  People should provide space for justification  Chance to ask the authorities questions

Kau Perempuan? Padan Muka!

Key points:  Perempuan & Islam: Dipaksakan (“better you dipaksa daripada you buat dosa” tudong sejak kecil (i.e. tudong for baby girls) o Authoritative voices of female interpretation of Islam are outlawed (i.e. SIS) i.e. wanita tak boleh ke Mekah tanpa muhrim  Culture gets caught in religious terms: o Patriarchal culture draws legitimacy from religion o Non-Muslims grateful for cultural norms not enshrined into religious laws that can be enforced (i.e. Jais, Jakim) o Dress Policing i.e. Kelantan  Female representation in population: o 70% female in universities but student representative councils mostly male o Ketua kelas/pengewas sekolah: lelaki

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

o Women are almost always assistants o Hardly any women in cabinet/politics  Women in folktales  Job interviews women get asked questions that men don’t: o i.e. Nak kahwin ke? Nak ada berapa anak?  Women internalise misogyny: o i.e. “Betul ke awak dirogol, ke awak bagi?”  Navigating boundaries: o Different looks to different crowds

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Public Awareness

Marital Rape, Domestic Violence, Rape

Key points:  Video: Rogol adalah rogol, tiada alasan.  Statutory rape refers to rape of persons aged 16 and under  Hadith – many types written by companions of Prophet  Clear identification between sex and rape  Syariah law – family matter/property  Option for rape – civil law  Syariah law – loophole: on protecting the interest of women – marital rape  Parking lots – for women, done in Penang  OSCC: One Stop Crisis Centre – only in government hospital (e.g. Penang)  Need to address the issue beyond marital rape (a bigger and clearer picture)

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Amend the penal code (extending the definition of ‘rape’) for the definition of ‘rape’  Networking with NGOs, State governments  Public Education – Regarding the sexualisation of women's bodies in online and offline media, and integrity  Campaigns on respecting women

Men and Feminism

Key points:  Are men comfortable with feminism? Stigma, dogma, are they qualified to speak about it?

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 Men may think of ‘feminism’ as an extreme.  Ancient civilisations that practice matriarchy/ matrilineal – men would have found it easier to talk about feminism, as it was the status quo. (Kerala & Pepatih)  When women are financially independent, men feel threatened. Patriarchy moulded us to think that way.  Should men be part of feminism? Men should be part of the struggle but not be centralised. Everyone should be part of feminism – to be inclusive. To share the space.  People have different social identities. One may have the upper or lower hand in different circumstances.  Parents (mother and father) consciously deciding how to raise children. As feminist? (Trudeau)  Do men need to downplay their voice to be seen to support feminism?  If there is no given platform for men to speak up, would they?  Men are ignorant to female issues, i.e. KTM women’s coach, inequality, fear  Rights vs. Privileges  Why are (rape, etc) messages targeted to women? What about men?  Need to unlearn cultures  Men do not realise that patriarchy is detrimental to them as well.  Men are not women, so do they face difficulties understanding issues?  Power struggle. Men may need to give up some power,  Men often do not realise they are acting in non-feminist ways, even if they are feminists.  To have equality, there needs to be men too.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Men could speak to other men about feminism- solidarity, comfort  Men can intervene other men who discriminate  To just start conversations  Men should be included as they are humanity. Feminism is a human rights issue focusing on gender, including men.

Men and the Spaces They Take Up

Key points:  Physical: o “man-spreading” o Entitlement to public spaces “what about men only coaches/ parking lots” and resulting in harassment of women (catcalling) o Cutting queues o Cutting traffic o Driving dangerously (men taking up space making women feel unsafe/uncomfortable)  Conversational: o “caping” (being superheroes) in women spaces o Co-opting women’s words and getting visibility/credit o Men should preach to other men o Men speaking over women in conversations

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

o Men should refer audience to female feminists to help boost visibility of women o Men seen as “passionate and inspiring” vs women whom are “angry, emotional, noisy, fussy” o Men talking about women’s issues based on “Scientific research/statistical data” that don’t have sources that can be cited vs women’s actual experiences re: autonomy, body autonomy, harassment, rights, representation  Symbolic: o “women in refrigerators” – women’s roles (in media) as victims to motivate men to be heroes o Taking up less space emotionally/psychologically/in narratives o Invisibilizing (women belong at home) and silencing women

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any): -

Motherhood and Working Women

Key points:  Getting married, being pregnant, delivering a bay could hurt/hamper career progress and ability to earn income or higher income.  There is lack of support for women affected  Lack of childcare support/not affordable/ not quality or safe childcare affects career development and personal development of women  Notes on maternity and paternity leave and other family support entitlements that are provided by different employers were compared.  Women at different ranks/ social class are affected differently  Women who are single, independent, earning their own income have some level of “privilege”. More options and possibilities in life. They are more “free”.  Must change perspective on human beings as commodities.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Must fight for the lower-wage/rank women  Government regulation of childcare needed.  Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers have to change their mind-set. Childcare is a societal responsibility.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Religion & Sexuality

Key points:  Self-identification: why must there be a compromise between your faith and sexual orientation?  Sexuality due to influence. (that a man must be with a woman and a woman can only be with a man)  Religion as a means of delivering political agendas (can easily use religion to manipulate to suit people in power. People of power could use religion to get the public to conform to a certain way to lifestyle which includes their sexuality. Anyone that does not conform to their way, they would charge them for going against religion.)  There is a need to have support groups for families trying to understand the struggles LGBTQIA community go through. Many people in Malaysia do not understand LGBTQIA thus making the lives of those are difficult. This even includes for families. Family members who do know understand LGBTQIA would make the member who is, feel very isolated and alone. There needs to be more education on LGBTQIA for the entire public and for families to know how should they behave and treat a LGBTQIA person.  Misinterpretation of religious scriptures (themes of violence and sexual assault). In religious scriptures, they make it seem that people who do not conform as people who are violence, bad and abnormal.  The notion of religious test implies a success or failure, and thus a reward or punishment (fear-mongering).

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Religion to be separated from politics, state etc. (private matter!)

Religion and Feminism

Key points:  Understanding  We need to view it as a whole, but how do you reconcile the differences of the status of the women in religion? No cherry picking  Segregation of women and men in religion  Religion does not segregate, it’s a man made. Even if there is segregation it is done in good faith, which could be interpreted differently.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 If there are clashes of personal principles in religion, it is up to the person to find harmony between the both.  All religions intent to ensure equality. Individuals take the responsibility of their actions.  To create something, religion acknowledges both genders are needed  Feminism then and now may offer but the essence of the scripture/low can be kept to be reluctant  Lines between religion & tradition are blurred (also polities)  Humans are humans errors are bound to made  All religions recognize mothers as with gave importance.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Respect  We need to understand and do the self-studies ( pro-active)  In terms of religion feminism is universal

Sexuality & Feminism

Key points:  It’s difficult to talk about sex and sexuality because it is considered wrong.  Society views sexuality as something private and should remain quietly within the walls of married couples.  It is difficult for people to talk about sex openly so that we can learn and understand sex and sexuality further.  Sexuality in the Media portrays women as: o Constant sexual fantasies o Women must subjugate to men and the needs of men  Sexual roles are learnt through o Pornography o The stereotypes of what men & women roles are in sex.  The issues of pornography may result in: o Increased violence towards women  Pornography itself: o is a bad form of sex education, we should not learn sex from pornography o It allows for understanding and exploring sexuality o It should be complemented with sex education.  Talking about sex with parents is difficult.  How men and women discuss about sex is different.  There is no beneficial change of information because there is no openness to discuss of sex.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Sex education is important.

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

 Encourage exchange of information on sex in a safe and open setting.  Dialogue of sex and sexuality should be encouraged so that people would not be awkward to discuss the issues surrounding sex and sexuality.

Situation of Married Migrants in Malaysia

Key points:  Bride (only for marriage), for example, in Korea brides are for men from the countryside, whereas in Malaysia brides are for low-income families.  Women do it for a better life and money for their families  Sometimes it involves child brides  Foreign spouses (& children in Korea) face discrimination (eg: immigration) and stigma  Instances of domestic violence, threats of cancelling visa as power dynamics exist  Difficulties in getting legal status, such as PR, work permits

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  How to organise married migrant and reach out to provide services (eg support for domestic violence survivors)  Language classes and cultural classes  Provides information on obtaining legal status

Transgender Lives in Malaysia

Key points:  Mak Nyah, transsexual, transgender are the types of transgender people who are in Malaysia.  Gender Identity Dismorphia (GID) argument is problematic because in Malaysia, only man or woman are recognised as a gender, anything other than that are not accepted.  Difficult to get a job: limited opportunities. (When finding employees, companies usually will be looking for either a man or woman. If a person is to apply to that company, they would have to be either a man or a woman. A transgender would either have to conform into one of the main gender or risk losing the job by standing out.)

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  No gender on identification cards (I/C)  Provide gender neutral toilets

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

What is the Issue with feminism and How do we Overcome It?

Key points:  Negative issues that affect women in Malaysia: o Rape o Violence o Sexual Harassment o Abuse o Unequal pay in workforce  How to overcome it? o Women in the workforce o Women in politics Give women in all fields equal opportunities o Women in sport o Include “feminist” men and those who do not have an aggressive attitude towards others in positions to make a change. o Feminist camp and meetings to raise awareness and get people to talk openly of such matters, so they can understand better. o People speak up about equal opportunities  Goal is for equal opportunity for career, education, etc. for genders: men, women, LGBT

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  See how to overcome it

Why are Marginalised Communities Expected to Perform Free Labour When it Comes to Educating the Masses?

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  People should provide space for justification  Chance to ask the authorities questions

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Why Women Themselves don’t Support Feminism? How to Advocate Feminism to Everyone?

Key points:  Misconception of concept.  Stigma attached – negative perspectives.  Don’t want to see non-feminist/radical/ extremist.  They think there is no need to down play men.  Not aware of discrimination – bodily anatomy.  Challenges core believes, promoted by religion.  Conditioned by public opinions.  Patriarchy is good and helps women. Men as bread butter for family, and this makes women’s life easy.  I don’t know how to express support.  Feminism has been misconstructed  The term itself is gender based. They refer as humanist.  Life experience, everyone has their own individual experiences.  Taboo culture  No recognition of different types of oppressive system so affirmative action is not needed.  Different types of feminism  Male norms had become the normal norms/ standard norms.  Culture influences the perception towards feminism.

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Labels are not necessary. Feminism is a constant struggle and a journey. There are different interpretations of feminist and it’s ok.

Women & Media

Key points:  Malaysian representation of women in the media is bad  Rape is trivialised and there is a lot of gender-based violence  Iqbal: Women are softer compared to men, so in films, women are always portrayed as weak  Irene: It’s not about how many women there are in the media, it’s about how they are portrayed  Iqbal: Women traditionally play characters who are there to support men i.e Bollywood movies typically degrade women  Irene: It’s not true that women did not work during the World War, as shown in films  Textbooks, storybooks and fairytales are biased against women  The reinforcing of stereotypes i.e evil stepmother  Malaysian women in women mainly work backstage  Female author of books use male pseudonyms i.e Enid Blyton, J.K Rowling, George Elliot  Lack of visibility of women in media, especially in sports

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Rediscover female history  Be critical when reading/watching the news, advertisements, films, books etc.  When teaching/telling stories to children, be aware of sexist fairytales  Need more films with more than one female character  Find out about famous women in history and current female celebrities  Question and research textbooks/scholars

Women in Politics and Top Management

Key points:  Structure (political)  Media’s influence/ freedom of speech/ fear  Conditioned by society- men is more powerful than women  Losing femininity in politics (There are less women in today’s politics in Malaysia)  Support system for women/ Role model. (Families of women should be strong enough to support them when problems arise. And these women would become role models to other women to stand on such positions)  Risk (A risk of questions attacking a woman of such position on her character)  Labelled/ debated (Women who are in politics or top management are usually labelled to be self-centred and selfish. It will be a topic to argument whether they are qualified to be of such position by the men around them) ~ Confrontational job  Low self-esteem/ self-worth. (When such questions are imposed to women, it would hurt their self-esteem and self-worth)  Government policies/ imposed – University students  Intention to keep the younger generation out of politics, by showing that politics does not affect all the same way.  Scholars/ fund by government  Men treat politics like their own personal club.  Women should not treat each other as competitions rather uplift one another.  Lack of awareness how politics shape one’s life  Relevance + ignorance

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  Help within/out of the system for women in such situation.  Women in politics encourage and guide young women  Leaders supportive of good policies related to women  Women’s network and platform

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Women Who have Abortions are Murderers

Key points:  Pro Life  Abortion: women’s choice, my body my right  Abortion: cannot support the child (economically etc)  Religion: scared of society then dumped the baby  What happen when women forced to keep the baby  Abortion: sometimes men who asked women to have abortion (not always women)  Lifestyle  Definition of Murder: If state make decision to kill life (tick), if women (x)  What is the good life value you can offer if you don’t do abortion  Restriction = curiosity = ended up doing it (sexual education)  Parenting: how to make them understand on cp & abortion  Busy looking at the unborn baby life and failed to see the woman's need

Key conclusions/recommendations/suggestions for future actions (if any):  What kind of support system that you have? Quality of the life of the kid  It’s my body, my choice, my rights  Balance between pro-life and pro-choice

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Closing Circle In the Closing Circle, each participant had the opportunity to say something in closing about the experiences they had throughout our Feminist Camp. Participants were not given a time limit, and the only guideline for this process was that everyone needed to give their full attention to whoever was holding the talking stick. Below are a few excerpts from a few of the participants who attended and a word cloud to summarise our entire closing circle.

"It is the first time I managed to talk about things I am passionate about in an environment where peoples' views don’t oppose my views so radically or so much. I don’t have to fight for what I am saying. It is not a hostile environment. I think it has been very comforting for me to find people who are going through the same things I am going through and think the way I do as well. And to hear about other people’s opinion has been very eye opening and liberating for me."

"I really enjoyed being here; it was a very calming environment. An environment where I was really free to talk about things, and I came here wanting to learn and I am glad I came. I got to meet many like-minded individuals, which is a hard thing that I struggle with, in my real life. I don’t actually get to meet a lot to people who want to do something for the society for social reasons or for even improvements. So when I came here, I got to know a lot of people, and I found out a lot about other NGOs and initiatives being done which I had completely not been aware of. I am glad I showed up and glad I open up enough to receive this knowledge."

"The one thing about this space is that it allows us to create a space where you want to listen and you want to make that connection, and I think that is important because there are very differing views. I feel like the underlining intention is to connect in some way despite differences of opinion, we try to make that happen. I am very blessed and privileged to be here and to participate."

"I think everyone has a desire to save the world in one way or another. But every few of us have the opportunity or the ability or the privilege to see it through and when I joined the feminist camp, it was because I assumed that my contributions as a student is very minimal to anything at all. And I wanted to attain the necessary tools to try and make a difference. But I learned more than what I expected."

"I think it is really important, most of us work for women’s rights, and sometimes it is continuing a fight that is never ending. And you are fighting a battle and we fight within our organization, we fight outside, we fight the government. you need a kind of jump start again, to be re-inspired, and it is very hearting to see a set of new people coming in with new ideas, and especially in our country, where to see depressing things going down and a lot people leaving. I am really glad I came."

"I really loved the OST thing. And I think it is one of the best ways to share and, I find it very liberating, it works because the agenda is not set prior to that. so we then speak about what we are interested in and if you were to tell me about OST before, how the agenda has set, without going through the whole process, I would have thought that then the agendas will only be to a certain extent to numbers because how many things can we talk about, but then as time passed by I saw this wall of ideas and all, and that’s prove of within that short time when people come together, we can bring up so many stuff and that is very assuring."

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Five Principles of OST (in English and Malay)

AWAM Feminist Camp Book of Proceedings

Participants Adriene Leong Loh Tze Ying, Eunice Ruby Song Adrienne Cassandra Robson Low Mei Shan Ruth Chiah Ain Nasiehah Binti Amiruddin Maryam Lee Shauqie Aziz Alexandrea Louisa Fernando Mayna Patel Subatra Jayaraj Beng Hui Mohd Ridhwan Susanna George Cherine Hegazy Muhamed Egha Bin Elias Suzaini Zaid Choy Pooi Kuen Muhammad Iqbal bin Mohd Yamin Thency Collin Yeoh Mohd Yusri Bin Yaacob Vimal Raj Deepa Nalina Nair Wong Pui Yan Elia Anis Kamaruddin Nancy Hong Yeow Yun Yen Yoke Wah Enbah Nilah A/P Sugurmar NorHidayah Nadila Maulad Daud Yong Yi Evie Gomez Nur Fariza binti Zahrin Yuhaniz Sazlin Heng Hui Yi Nur Hafizah binti Johari Zenathnara A/P Irene Brettner -Litherland Nurkamelia Ghazali Narayanasamy Joshua Sefesi Nurus Syamilah Bt Amir Hamzah Karen Kasturi James Por Heong Hong Lee Wei San Quek Xia Shuen

Organising Committee

2016 Feminist Camp Organising Committee: Top row: Wei San, Evie & Susanna Bottom row: beng hui, thency, adrienne, Yong Yi, & Sazlin

Acknowledgements The Feminist Camp Organising Committee would like to thank the following people for the hard work and contribution to the production of the Book of Proceedings: Overall Coordination: Writing and Editing: Transcription: Mayna Patel Layout and Design: Wei Hoong and Sazlin Photography: beng hui and Sazlin