KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s rights activist Ivy Josiah today denounced those who cite cultural and religious rules for rejecting international human rights standards.
She said governments had no choice but to say “yes” to Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw).
“The article deals with how a state or government must address stereotyping and prejudices because of culture,” she pointed out. “It must do all in its power to change that mindset. One might say it will take a long time to do that, or that I’m not going to do that ever because it’s part of my culture and religion. No. Religion and culture cannot be used as an excuse to violate someone’s rights.” Read more