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COMMENT

Equality should be the norm

Supporting the cause will not only benefit women but men as well

WO weeks ago, Emma Watson

most known to the world, in her
own words, as that Harry Potter
girl delivered a speech at the
United Nations to launch UN
Womens new #HeForShe campaign.
In her speech, Watson spoke about
how gender equality is not just a cause
for women to fight.
Instead, she listed several reasons
why men too should take up the cause,
including the fact that gender stereotypes limits men as well.
Her speech became a viral hit and
spread quickly on the Internet. But as
much plaudits as she received, Watson
was also criticised heavily both by feminists and men alike.
In particular, I took offence to many of
the statements made by some men.
A few took more issue with the idea of
feminism as reverse sexism, while others reverted to the age-old contention
that men were built more superior to
women.
A couple of comments were about
that loose string of hair from Watsons
ponytail.
While the first point is debatable (for
the record, I dont agree with them), the
other two among many others are just
some reasons why a campaign such as
#HeForShe is so necessary.
Perhaps it is my personal upbringing,
but I find it difficult to fathom how other
educated, urban men struggle to see
the issue the way I and my other likeminded friends do.
This is especially so in 2014, when
people really should know better.
Fifteen years ago, I had written an article as part of my journalism assignment
at university in Australia on the issue of
tampons being considered a basic necessity and as such, should be exempted

Way to go: Watson and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New
York. The two were on hand to launch the HeForShe Campaign. filepic
from the then-impending goods and
services tax (GST).
My stand was that women should
have the right to choose any form of
feminine hygiene product they preferred.
To make my point, I spoke to several
people, from the average layperson to
high-profile Australian politicians.
My lecturer back then told me I was
very brave to write such an article
because this is not an issue most men
would normally address.
In fact, to accompany my article, my
lecturer wrote a sidebar to explain the
circumstances in my choice of taking
up the issue and my choice of words
including the fact that I come from a
different culture.
In retrospect, I can only imagine that
to him, it was all the more surprising
that I would take on such an issue considering I come from a culture that is

structured based on paternalism.

But that wasnt the structure in which
my family operates and as such, it is not
one in which I abide by.
So, to me, it didnt feel brave or surprising. I wrote that article because I
believe in choice particularly when
it comes to our own bodies is a fundamental human right that must be
respected.
I also believe that I dont need to be a
woman to speak up for issues that affect
them.
We are all in this together. As Watson
mentioned in her speech, men too are
affected by gender inequality. In fact this
was one of the contentions some of her
critics raised why do men need a list
of benefits to convince them that this is
their issue too?
I dont disagree with that question but
I know why she felt the need to include

that bit in her speech.

The reality is many men some of
whom I personally know dont think
gender inequality is their problem to
deal with. So, if this is one way to convince them it is, so be it.
In my family, I am surrounded by
women. I often remind myself how
blessed I am that my mother was privileged enough to be empowered through
education, otherwise I would be a very
different person today.
Like many young mothers around the
world, my sisters constantly keep me in
awe with their wonderful ability to raise
their children while juggling a successful
career.
I am also thankful for my father and
two brothers-in-law who get it and
respect my sisters as wives, mothers and
-- most of all -- women.
But not all women share the same
experiences as those in my family. And
if at all they are disempowered, then we
those who are not must speak out
for them.
In her speech, Watson made a formal
invitation to men to join in the cause of
gender equality and rid women of the
prejudice that has been stacked against
them for generations.
In Malaysia, barely over 800 men have
signed on the pledge to be a #HeForShe
(http://www.heforshe.org).
This is a surprisingly small number,
considering the percentage of the population active on the Internet.
I signed up early in the campaign and
have been spreading the word about it
on my social media platforms.
This article too is my contribution
and commitment to the issue of gender
equality. I believe that all men should do
the same, not just for us to benefit but
for everyone.

Wednesday
8 OCTOBER 2014

by Niki Cheong

starMetrO

BANGSAR BOY RETURNS

n Niki believes
nobody should
be treated any
differently for being
different. Connect
with him at
blog.nikicheong.com
or on Facebook
(www.bit.ly/
nikicheong).