Vol. 21 No. 3, September 2002

In God's Image is an Asian Christian women's effort to provide a forum for expressing our reality, our struggles, our faith reflections and aspirations for change.

Editorial

CHARTING unknown territory is something of a speciality for Malaysian women. Our nation is a relatively young one, having won our independence from the British in 1957. In those early years, when preparing for self-rule, hard politics was dominated by men. But it was the women who entered the field at grass roots level, journeying miles on rough roads to reach people who would be the first inhabitants of an independent Malaya. Working tirelessly, they set about raising awareness amongst a racially mixed population who had to get ready for life under unknown rulers.

Forty-five years later we have burst upon economic buoyancy. Thousands of jobs were created within a very short time which meant that more and more women joined the labour force. As a result, social, economic and political spaces for women opened up.

This was due in no small part to women's groups who fought resolutely for decades for fairer, more equitable treatment.

Some of that increased leverage was illustrated by milestones like the Domestic Violence Act which was pushed into implementation in 1996 by a coalition of women's groups. Passed by Parliament in 1994, the Act had been formulated nine years before it was enforced.

Extensive campaigns also brought about a change in the laws governing rape trials. From 1989, defence lawyers were no longer allowed to introduce evidence pertaining to the victim's sexual past.

And last year, the Federal Constitution was amended to bar any discrimination based on sex.  Logically, the line of progress should continue to shoot upwards. But reality quickly dissolves euphoria.

Despite the enormous contributions of women throughout this nation's history, their presence at decision-making levels remains small.

In all the ruling political parties -- Malaysia is governed by a coalition -- women politicians are relegated to women's wings, thereby ensuring that they never achieve presidential posts.

Earlier this year, the local government of Terengganu, a state on the Malaysian east coast, announced that it would table a bill enabling hudud law. Among its conditions: a rape victim's testimony has to be corroborated by four male Muslim witnesses of good character. If it is not, she can be found guilty of making slanderous accusations and sentenced to 80 lashes of the whip.

This is one instance in a larger battle. The fight for a more liberal explanation of Islam -- led by women -- has been going on for more than a decade. Over the years, the movement has shown through scholarship and advocacy that oppressive edicts do not flow from Islam itself, but from interpretations of the Quran which are influenced by cultural practices.

Since Malaysia has a largely Muslim population, much of the discourse on Islam takes place in the mainstream.

In a less-known corner of the canvas lies the struggle of Malaysian Women in Ministry and Theology (MWMT) to change oppressive structures in the church which has also met with vigorous resistance.

These examples do not even take into account women in marginalised communities, such as the ethnic Indians, or the Orang Asal (indigenous people), or those with HIV/AIDS. Often existing far away from the urban middle-class eye, these women live and work in appalling conditions, where extreme poverty is the norm and safety a luxury. The boom also helped create a fiercely competitive environment, one where government and society place the highest premiums on acquisition of wealth.

Women have responded by pushing for a more humanity-driven approach, so that as much value is placed on a service like quality childcare as it is on large-scale commercial expansion.

As whirlwind changes take place around us on a daily basis, women have regularly shown that they are equal to the storms thrown their way. Strong, articulate and passionate, they have consistently spoken and acted against laws and norms which keep people -- not just women -- from leading lives of dignity and equal opportunity.

The following articles indicate some of that heartfelt determination, and give some inkling of the tribulations and triumphs that have peppered the journey.

Some of the topics covered are: women and Islam in Malaysia, paving the way for the disabled, and protecting the rights of the indigenous population.

Another consistent thread running through this issue is the energy that emerges when brokenness meets brokenness. Because of the deep, unique -- and in many cases unifying -- spirituality that women have, it is among them that prejudices of race and religion have been publicly shed.

It is therefore among women that we can create a vision for Malaysia that includes rather than expels, that celebrates difference and that revels in shared humanity.

Guest Editor

Acknowledgement

Once again the women of Malaysia have come up with a solid edition of In God's Image, bringing together a plurality of voices and images characteristic of plural Malaysia.  In this edition, we shall hear the voices of Malaysian women coming from different faith traditions and life situations, experiencing different struggles.  From their stories, we hear the passion of women of deep courage and faith, envisioning something new, making faith tangible, and lighting the way, for others.  An added unique feature in this edition is the artistic section on "creation" - seen through children's eyes".

On behalf of the publication staff of the AWRC, I would like to express lots of appreciation to the Malaysian Women in Ministry and Theology who accepted to do this edition and to the guest editors - Dulcie Abraham, Niloufer Harben and Sharon Nelson.  Thank you very much for sharing your gifts of time, talents, skills, expertise, passion and commitment.

Publications Secretary

If articles listed in the table of contents interests you, and you would like to have a copy of this journal, please write to igi@awrc4ct.org.