SUHAKAM, MMM JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY, ETHICAL MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) have expressed a joint commitment to advancing gender equality, upholding human dignity and strengthening ethical and responsible media practices in Malaysia.

In a joint statement today, SUHAKAM and MMM said that in conjunction with the celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, both institutions intend to enhance dialogue and cooperation at the intersection of human rights and media governance.

“Among the areas of potential collaboration are capacity-building initiatives, the development of training modules, and the establishment of a working group to examine media ethics from a gender perspective,” the statement said.

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Both institutions also aim to explore measures to promote gender- and child-sensitive media writing standards and encourage responsible reporting on issues affecting women, children and vulnerable communities.

They also plan to support a safer working environment for journalists, particularly women, address harassment and intimidation in the course of their duties, and strengthen institutional dialogue related to complaints, accountability and governance.

SUHAKAM and MMM also aim to raise awareness of the media’s role in advancing equality and preventing harm.

According to the statement, the initiative generally aligns with Malaysia’s commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Meanwhile, SUHAKAM commissioner Melissa Akhir said in the same statement that advancing women’s rights and strengthening ethical journalism are a shared responsibility that requires sustained commitment.

“International Women’s Day reminds us of the importance of creating a media environment that promotes equality, justice and respect,” she said.

MMM Board member Gayathry Venkiteswaran said ethical, fair and inclusive reporting is essential to building public trust and strengthening democratic discourse.

“Gender-sensitive reporting helps the public understand the realities and contributions of all members of society, leading to more accurate journalism and more informed public debate,” she said.

-- BERNAMA