Malaysia Scores 45% on UNFPA Bodily Autonomy Index

Malaysia has laws to protect bodily autonomy for women, but experts and a new report from SIS Forum both say they continue to be constrained in their ability to make choices about what happens to their bodies.

The research found Malaysia's score on the 'bodily autonomy' indicator of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) showing whether women can make informed decisions about sexual relations, contraception and reproductive health services was only 45 percent. The percentage is less than the global average score of 55 percent and much lower than the regional average score of 76 percent, indicating ongoing difficulties for women in the country.

The results were obtained through a survey of 1004 women of age 18 or older from September to October last year, as well as focus group discussions and interviews. The study revealed that women are still experiencing obstacles in health services, information and protection from gender based violence, personal relationships and education.

The low bodily autonomy score for the country shows that while many people have access to healthcare services and contraception, many women do not feel they have the power to make decisions for themselves in relation to their own health and wellbeing, Dr Maiza Tusimin, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, said.

Key Highlights:

• Malaysia scores 45% on the UNFPA bodily autonomy index
• Women face barriers in reproductive and healthcare decisions
• Experts urge stronger legal and social reforms

Women aren't comfortable expressing discomfort, asking questions, turning down intimacy and making decisions in a medical context, for fear of judgment or pressure from family or conflict, she explained. Dr Maiza said that keeping a woman autonomous does not mean that her family members are cut off from a crucial discussion, but rather, that her wishes for the discussion are always first.

She has been able to share with patients what she has learned and many times, the woman will silently seek her husband or family members approval before answering questions about her own health care preferences.

Issues related to consent in marriage were also raised in the study. Of those who responded who had a spouse/partner, only 52% said they were never allowed to refuse sexual relations with their spouse/partner.

Ong Bee Leng, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Women's Development Corporation, said that the traditional gender norms still had an impact on the attitude towards sexual relations, as many women felt that sexual relations were something that they had to do in marriage, instead of it being an act of choice. But the results indicate a widespread lack of understanding of women's agency and their right to take decisions over their bodies, said SIS Forum Executive Director Rozana Isa.

The study also pointed out problems in the field of body autonomy of young women. It found that 23% of them had periodic examinations in their schools. Increasingly, that figure rose to 31 percent of women ages 18-24 and 36 percent of women ages 25-34.

Dr Maiza explained that it is a medical needless and could be embarrassing for the students, saying that they should never have to reveal their underwear, sanitary products or intimate parts of the body to demonstrate that they are menstruating.

The study also revealed that the main responsibility for family planning is still held by the women. Almost one in five respondents indicated that they had primary responsibility in deciding contraceptive use, while 11 per cent did so for their spouse.

Although there are some policies in place to promote gender equality in Malaysia, the implementation is inconsistent, Ong said. But attitude changes, as well as legal, if needed, changes in families, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and communities would be necessary for lasting progress to be made, she said.