VIEW FROM THE COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS (CWP) CHAIRPERSON
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE LIGHT OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS View from the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Chairperson Introduction in economic participation, education, health and The Universal Declaration on Human Rights political empowerment has contributed to the Gross (UDHR) celebrates its 70th anniversary on 10th Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and development December 2018. The UDHR is a milestone of the nation. According to the World Bank, women’s document consisting of international human rights participation in the economy would add up to US$28 law based on the ideas of freedom, equality and trillion, or 26%, to annual global GDP by 2025 dignity, a living text which is universal in scope compared to business as usual. In Latin America and and relevant to all individuals. Also, it contains a the Caribbean, for instance, female labour market common standard of human rights protection for income contributed to a 30% reduction in extreme all peoples and all nations. All Member States shall poverty over a ten year period. Therefore, women promote and advocate the rights and freedoms played a crucial role in the reduction of the poverty contained therein. They shall have progressive rate in the region. Hon. Dr Dato’ Noraini Ahmad, measures and mechanisms to secure the effective Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) MP, Chairperson of the observance of the UDHR. Over the years, most Commonwealth Women acknowledges that women’s entrepreneurship is a principles stated in the UDHR have been fulfilled, Parliamentarians (CWP) and way forward for gender equality as far as economic many lives have been changed, history has been Member of the Parliament of opportunities are concerned for women. The impacted, and people have been able to secure Malaysia. Commonwealth is at the forefront in promoting essential rights and freedom. sustainable and inclusive development. A Business Nevertheless, there are issues around human rights that remain Survey by International Trade Centre (ITC), a company related to contentious today, including women and gender issues such as the the implementation of the ‘SheTrades’ Commonwealth programme, right to participate in the economy, pay inequality and exploitation. stated that one-fifth of exporting firms in 11 Commonwealth Thus, the primary objective of this article is to highlight the countries are women-owned and managed. A women-owned importance of ensuring human rights principles, in particular women’s business tends to employ women, and the majority of the economic rights, for inclusive development. shareholders are also women. The ‘SheTrades’ Commonwealth programme promotes women’s participation in trade, particularly Women’s Economic Rights in the micro, small, medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as The rights of women are recognised under various human rights encouraging all governments and businesses to join its partnership in treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political enhancing women’s economic rights. Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). These documents uphold the Women’s Participation in the Economy in the ASEAN Region rights to equality between men and women in the enjoyment of According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy in all rights. Besides that, other materials like The Convention on the the ASEAN region grew at an average of 6% annually between 1990 Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Beijing and 2015. ASEAN consists of 10 countries, including Malaysia and Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as 2030 Development Singapore, and is the third largest labour force in the world. ASEAN’s Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasise women’s economic economy is forecasted to further grow at an average 5% annually empowerment and integrating women’s economic rights in government until 2020, and its middle-class population is projected to increase by policies, programmes and strategic planning. It also promotes gender around 70 to 194 million by 2020. The region is also one of the most equality and accelerates the implementation of regional gender attractive destinations for foreign investment and trade corporations, equality commitments including women’s economic rights. and it has embarked on an economic integration project through the A stronger role for women in economics will contribute to gender ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) since 2015. AEC Blueprint equality and the sustainable development of the nation. Women’s 2025 serves as the main guidelines for the implementation of AEC. participation in the economy provides a crucial contribution to the The World Bank’s report on ‘Gender Dimensions of the ASEAN economic growth of the country, where higher gender equality Economic Community’ published in 2016 regards gender equality as 260 | The Parliamentarian | 2018: Issue Four