After gaining its independence in 1957, Malaysia’s constitution established that “all persons are equal before the law and entitled to its equal protection.” The Malaysian government ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1995, and formed the Ministry of Women and Family Development in 2001 in order to improve the status of women across the country. However, Malaysia’s cultural, ethnic and religious diversity deeply impacts the country’s political structures, and traditional religious norms often impede the advancements of women’s rights. Domestic violence, sexual harassment and child marriage remain prevalent, and as of 2020 women hold just 14 percent of the seats in parliament. Fortunately, with the help of women’s rights NGOs, such as the Women’s Aid Organization (WAO), All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), and Sisters in Islam (SIS) significant improvements are being made to Malaysia’s legislature. These organizations are raising awareness through grass roots efforts in order to create a more just society, and the government is responding. The Domestic Violence Act first enacted in 1994, was amended in 2017 because of the work of the WAO. The law now expands the definition of domestic violence, improves rehabilitation provisions, and protects survivors between police investigations and court proceedings. The government has also implemented several initiatives to address discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Traditional gender norms and societal expectations combined with the lack of safe facilities prevent many women in Malaysia from pursuing sports. However, over the past few decades, with the help of the Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation Malaysia and the Ministry of Youth and Sports there have been significant improvements made toward developing women’s sports and physical education programming in schools. Women compete in international competitions in a multitude of sports including soccer, rugby, badminton, and basketball. The women’s national basketball team has competed in two FIBA World Cups and has won gold in 14 of the 19 Southeast Asian Games. Before they were an independent nation, Malaysia first took part in the Olympic Games in 1956, with Annie Choong competing in athletics in the 100m. In the 2012 Olympic Games in London, diver and flag bearer for Team Malaysia, Pandelela Rinong Pamg made history when she won the country’s first medal, bringing home the bronze in the 10m platform. At the 2016 Rio Games, she won the silver medal in the 10m synchronized platform with Cheong Jun Hoong, making her Malaysia’s most decorated female Olympian.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Malaysia:
Ee Laine Chee
How does Malaysia compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
14%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
19%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Azalina Othman Said, 2004 - 2008
Title IX Timeline
1957
On August 30, Malaysia gained independence with the withdrawal of colonial Britain and women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1964
Mary Rajamani, Jovina Tseng, Marny Jolly, and Molly Tay became the first women to represent an independent Malaysia in the Olympics.
1988
Two athletes became the first women to represent Malaysia in the Paralympics.
1995
Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2008
Siow Lee Chan won a bronze medal in powerlifting to become the first woman from Malaysia to win a Paralympic medal.
2012
Pandelela Rinong Pamg won a bronze medal in diving to become the first woman from Malaysia to win an Olympic medal.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
1
-
4
-
3
-
5
-
3
-
30
-
27
-
18
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
2
-
0
-
9
-
8
-
4
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1956
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2020
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Pandelela Rinong Pamg: 2012, Diving (Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1988
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Siow Lee Chan: 2008, Powerlifting (Bronze)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2003
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1965
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Malaysia Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation
Malaysia Ministry of Youth and Sport
