Every year, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights, that is violence against women. The campaign kicks off on 25 November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until 10 December, the World Human Rights Day. During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world join together to raise awareness about gender-based violence and to demand improvement of laws and services to end inhumanity against women for good.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was proclaimed by the United Nations through Resolution 54/134 on 7 February 2000. This date was chosen to commemorate the death of Mirabal Sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa. They were political activists who resisted the systematic violence against Rafael Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The opposition ended with their brutal assassinations on 25 November 1960. If Latin America was able t0 commemorate those three women, the Muslim world should also be reminded of the great women who perished as a result of atrocities made against them. One of them is Rouzan Ashraf Abdul Qadir al-Najjar, a Palestinian paramedic. She was mercilessly killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while volunteering as a medic to help the wounded survivors during the 2018 Gaza border protests.
At the national level, the government has taken many efforts to protect women from consistent violence and persecution. Among the significant measure is the enactment of Domestic Violence Act 1994 (DVA). Malaysia is hailed as the first country in Southeast Asia to enact a specific act to deal with domestic violence issues. The government’s commitment became more evident when the Parliament amended the Penal Code in 2007. The amendment saw the inclusion of Section 375A in the Penal Code to safeguard women even from their abusive husbands. Despite numerous campaigns launched to halt cruelty against women as well as admirable policies and legal improvements, some women still continue to be treated heartlessly. This can be seen, for instance, in the heartbreaking case that happened to Jahidah Nordin on last May. The victim who was pregnant had suffered severe head injuries and part of her skull had to be removed due to bleeding apart from fractures to jaw, backbone, and rib cage. Jahidah who was in a coma later gave birth surgically to a baby boy on November 30.
For that reason, it is time for men to be empowered with the spirit of compassion and leadership, based on the call of al-Quran and Hadith. The Quran calls upon men to assume the role of a leader and protector of their respective family members, especially towards the wives. This is clearly illustrated in verse 34, Surah al-Nisa’. In the book of Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, Imam al-Razi asserts that the term qawwam used by the Quran illustrates men’s great responsibilities. It describes the huge liability of men to look after all the affairs of their family members as well as to teach them beneficial knowledge alongside manners and morals. The spirit of the Quran uplifts men with an impressive array of duties and trust as manifested through the examples of the Prophet. The Prophet never once hurt his family with words let alone through physical actions.
The best form of protection and care displayed by the Prophet as a noble guardian could be witnessed through the treatment given to his beloved daughter, Fatimah r.a. There are Hadiths which narrate how he taught prayers to Fatimah and listened to her daughter’s complaints about her grief. This indicates the close relationship formed between both of them. The Prophet’s immense love for Fatimah can be seen in the event where his husband, Sayyidina ‘Ali proposed to marry Abu Jahl’s daughter. The grieving Fatimah immediately went to the Prophet and complained about the matter. The Prophet SAW said, “Fatimah is a part of me and I hate to see her faced with troubles…” Sayyidina `Ali later abandoned the marriage’s proposal upon the advice from the Prophet SAW (Ibn Majah).
The empowerment of men can be accomplished through knowledge. Knowledge will allow them to be aware of their responsibilities and rights of their wives as well as other family members. To quote the great reminder given by the Prophet SAW during the Farewell Sermon, “Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. Fear Allah concerning women for verily you have taken them on the trust of Allah and have made their persons lawful unto you by the words of Allah.” The Prophet’s will demonstrated the important role of women along with men for the building of a prosperous family and society. Moreover, all forms of torture and ferocity against women; physical and psychological, are massive sins for neglecting the trust placed in men.
A happy and harmonious family will contribute towards the success of Keluarga Malaysia. Respectable family institutions are a small unit that supports the broader concept of family, namely Keluarga Malaysia. Let us hope that 2022 brings a brighter future for women in particular and family institutions in general. Women are indeed an important pillar of a prosperous Malaysian family. The protection of their rights and well-being depends on men acting as leaders and protectors who are able to play their due role with pride and dignity.