Labyrinthine Passages: How Women Activists of Malaysia Adapt to Overcome Differential Effects
Abstract
Due to structural, political, and cultural reasons, women activists face burdens in their work, especially concerning two particular issues: child marriage and stateless children. This study investigates how these women organize themselves to challenge notions of patriarchy in Malaysia, which have been buttressed by its colonial and postcolonial history and the institutionalization of political Islam through state and non-state actors. By conducting 13 individual, semi-structured interviews with key informants, we researched the experience of hate speech on those informants through a critical realist approach. The results found a marked divergence in the issues focused on by East and West Malaysia activists, with structural reform and injustice as key motivators. Different cultural factors and historical ties were among the factors which caused significant east-west differences in the results collected. Structural discrimination, such as state actions (as informed by right-wing populism) and online harassment, were the challenges faced. Ultimately, it was found that there is a need for a coalition, or a support group, for women activists as they embark on their work.
Keywords: women, activism, Malaysia, Islam, hate speech, critical realism, child marriages, stateless children.
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