WAO ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - Women's Aid Organisation

7.1 Implementation of CEDAW
The CEDAW framework of substantive equality, non discrimination and state obligation is core
to our understanding of discrimination against women and forms the basis for our lobbying
efforts for law and policy reform. CEDAW Concluding Observations and the principles of the
Convention are mentioned in every press statement that was released by JAG or WAO.
7.1.1 CEDAW Shadow Report Two Group in collaboration with NCWO
Malaysia was due to send in the combined 3 rd and 4 th periodic report by August 2008, however
by end 2009 the government report was yet to be sent to the CEDAW Committee.
Following up on the October 2008 meeting with the MWFCD, the NGO Shadow Report Two
team met twice in 2009 and continued to research and monitor in their respective area of work.
As the coordinating body, WAO received 3 outlines for the proposed Shadow Report Two. WAO
itself did not have a full time staff to coordinate this programme but will do so in 2010.
7.1.2 “From Discrimination to Substantive Equality” CEDAAW Shadow Report
Training, 26 – 28 February 2009, Shah’s Village Hotel, Petaling Jaya
We began the year with training for 15 NGOs who were going to be involved in the CEDAW
Shadow Report writing. With trainers from IWRAW Asia Pacific, WCC Penang and WAO, 24
participants including 4 participants from East Malaysia went through 3 day programme with
the last day dedicated to assigning tasks for specific chapters for Shadow Report Two.
7.1.3 Suhakam Women’s Rights Sub Committee
In 2009 it was only WAO, AWAM and SIS who were active in this committee conducting two (2)
trainings for MTUC leaders and gender focal points. Representatives from the Bar were absent
for most meetings. Chaired by Tan Sri Dato’ Asiah Abu Samah, the committee designed trainings
on CEDAW. The 3 NGOs conducted the sessions with the SUHAKAM staff providing the logistics.
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