2007 Castan Centre Intern

Rachael Hopkins, International Women's Right Action Watch, Asia Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (November 2006 - February 2007)

Report

Malaysia exposed me to dense heat, inexpensive delicious food, great shopping, and due to the unique Malaysian heat, warm beer! Unfortunately, among the vibrant city, immense shopping malls and developing suburbs, human rights violations against women remain prevalent. However, my internship experience gave me the invaluable opportunity to witness first hand the amazing achievements and important work of women's rights activists around the world, giving me hope for a better future for all women, particularly women living in areas where their fundamental rights as human beings need much greater attention.
I set off for Malaysia in early December to intern with the International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific (IWRAW-AP). IWRAW-AP is a non-governmental organisation, utilising international human rights standards to promote the domestic implementation of women's rights. The organisation concentrates particularly on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The organisation works with 12 developing countries and with international organisations, lawyers and activists to help them to lobby for the realisation of women's rights in their countries. For three months, I was able to witness the reality of a women's rights organisation, and the application of international human rights law to redefine the inferior position of women around the globe.  I was also lucky enough to discuss the current state of women's rights and witness positive change from international, regional and national women's rights activists and organisations.

During my stay in Malaysia, I had the opportunity to attend 2 conferences hosted by IWRAW-AP. The first conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand, where CEDAW staff coached women's activists on how to educate people in positions of authority and fellow activists about the importance of the rights set out in CEDAW.  I was lucky enough to also attend an Expert General Meeting, where a collection of academics and experts met to discuss a General Recommendation that the CEDAW Committee was drafting concerning State obligations. I was greatly humbled by the thoughtful and innovative ideas put forward by current CEDAW Committee members, academics, lawyers and feminist theorists from the South of the globe.

The situation in Malaysia concerning women's rights is grave. Many religious and cultural practices are enshrined in law and continue to discriminate against women. Throughout my internship, I came into contact with national activists who are currently working to change the laws relating to marriage, divorce and child custody. Many activists and lawyers are aiming to lessen the tension between civil law and Islamic law which in the future would have a positive impact on the legal rights of women in Malaysia. In its current state, religious identity is given privilege over universal norms of humans rights, particularly in the case of women. Activists are focusing particularly on issues such as religious freedom and the right to choose.

CEDAW articulates clear principles of gender equality and allows for women's rights to be applied in a wide range of situations. However, despite ratification by many State Parties, there is a clear discrepancy what states agree to do, and what they actually do.  The creation and improvement of women's NGOs around the world, and the dissemination of knowledge of women's rights, is essential in achieving equality and non-discrimination to enforce the principles of universal dignity and respect for all people. First hand, I witnessed the expansion of public space for women to address women's rights. As a result of efforts made by IWRAW-AP, women in the South Pacific have a voice for change. The organisation has improved knowledge of women's rights, helped NGO's around the world to create "Shadow Reports" which are presented to CEDAW and can influence its decisions, helped create committees to lobby for greater recognition of women's rights by the UN and educated lawyers and judges about women's rights. 
The opportunity to meet so many amazing people, both within the human rights sphere and outside, was incredible. The experience I gained from being part of IWRAW-AP and being in Malaysia enabled me to further expand my knowledge of international law. It also gave me the opportunity to see, first hand, progress which is being made for women's rights around the world. I feel inspired by the passionate and tireless work of those within IWRAW-AP. Undertaking this internship enabled me to truly understand the universality and connectedness of women throughout the world, and the significance and relevance of CEDAW and international human rights treaties. I know that I will be able to apply so much of what I have learnt from my time in Malaysia to my work here in Australia.

Profile

Rachael completed her Law degree after her return in 2007. She completed her Arts degree in 2003, and completed her Honours year in Arts in 2004, writing her thesis on women’s rights and sexuality within the private and public sphere.  

Throughout her university career, Rachael has been passionately involved in feminism and women’s rights. Since 2006, she has been volunteering weekly at the Women’s Legal Service Victoria, which provides women with legal advice concerning issues of relationship breakdown, and in particular helping women gain Intervention Orders in domestic violence matters.  She has also volunteered with the Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service.

International Women's Right Action Watch, Asia Pacific