Eliminating Statelessness in Southeast Asia

ASEAN can take some reasonable measures to address the plight.

By Michael Caster

The government of Myanmar has come under fire this month following Aung San Suu Kyi’s rebuke of U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel’s reference to the Rohingya, the estimated one million stateless Muslim inhabitants of Myanmar’s Western Rakhine State. Aung San Suu Kyi’s government refuses to fully confront the issue of the Rohingya, who have been denied equal access to citizenship since the passage of the 1982 Citizenship Law. The denial of citizenship has compounded human rights abuses, rising to the crime of genocide, according to an October study by Fortify Rights. The persecution of the Rohingya has deservedly captured increasing international attention in recent years, although greater awareness and mobilization is needed. The plight of statelessness remains a universal challenge.

Around the world, there are an estimated 15 million stateless people. According to the UNHCR, somewhere a stateless child is born every 10 minutes and within the countries hosting the 20 largest stateless populations some 70,000 stateless children are born every year. In 2014, the UNHCR announced its Campaign to end Statelessness in ten years. The same year, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion reported that more people in Asia and the Pacific are affected by statelessness than in any other region of the world. How ASEAN addresses this challenge will be key to achieving the UN’s objective of eradicating statelessness by 2024.

The Right to Have Rights

Hannah Arendt, in The Origins of Totalitarianism, calls citizenship the right to have rights, a sentiment which entered jurisprudence in 1958 through U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren, who wrote that the denial of citizenship is the denial of all claims to protection from any nation.

Modern notions of nationality emerged following World War I through a series of League of Nations treaties, which granted States total freedom to determine how individuals obtained or lost nationality. Such absolutism of State sovereignty changed following World War II with the realization of the degree of harm caused by discriminatory nationality laws, such as the Nuremburg Laws. This realization gave rise to Article 15 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, granting everyone the right to nationality.

Also in 1948, the United Nations commissioned the Study on Statelessness, released a year later. The Study affirmed that eradicating statelessness requires that, “Every child must receive a nationality at birth” and “No person throughout his life should lose his nationality until he has acquired a new one.”

The Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, adopted in 1954, provides the legal definition of statelessness as “a person who is not considered a national by any state under the operation of its law.” The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness followed with more guidance. However, both Conventions remain poorly ratified with only 86 and 65 state parties respectively. The Philippines is the only ASEAN country to have ratified the 1954 Convention.

The right to nationality was further codified in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). However, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore are not State parties. On the other hand, all ASEAN member states are parties to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Together they prohibit gender discrimination in matters of nationality, require immediate birth registration, and place an obligation on states to respect the right of the child to preserve identity and nationality.

Statelessness in ASEAN

The 2009 ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human rights (AICHR) and 2010 ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) are both mandated with developing strategies for the promotion and protection of human rights. ACWC is furthermore empowered “to advocate on behalf of women and children, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, and encourage ASEAN member states to improve their situation” and “to propose and promote appropriate measures…for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violation of the rights of women and children.”

Stateless people are indisputably among the most vulnerable and marginalized and international norms make explicit reference to women and children’s equal right to nationality. As such, AICHR and ACWC appear to have a mandated obligation to play a leading role in the elimination of statelessness in ASEAN, especially in ensuring birth registration and the elimination of gender discrimination in nationality laws.

One of the challenges to a regional approach is the lack of a unified definition of statelessness in domestic laws. The 1954 Convention provides the legal definition but the failure to ratify or implement in domestic laws provides countries with maneuverability. The Philippines offers the best example, having enacted the Convention and definition into domestic law in 2012. Vietnam and Laos provide a definition for stateless persons but do not go as far as the Philippines in implementing protections. The refusal to implement the accepted international definition in Myanmar, for example, has contributed to the State narrative that Rohingya do not qualify for protection as stateless because they are migrants from Bangladesh.

Birth registration, a human right vital for protecting against stateless, is not equally guaranteed throughout ASEAN. Cambodia provides a best practice in birth registration campaigning. In 2000, only around 5 percent of Cambodian births were registered. The Ministry of Interior, with support from UNICEF and others, initiated a pilot program involving more than 13,000 people who had received specialized training in birth registration. Within the first ten months of the program over 7 million adults and children were registered. Subsequently birth certificates were issued free of charge within 30 days of birth and only a small fee was incurred for late registration.

However, the 1996 Nationality Law offers no definition for statelessness and ambiguity in language implies that Khmer ethnicity may be a prerequisite for citizenship. Despite birth registration campaigning, several thousand stateless people remain in Cambodia.

Prohibitive costs for birth registration, requirements for documents that are sometimes unavailable or nonexistent, and associated costs of transportation or hospital fees, contribute to statelessness as well. Such obstacles often remain even after well-meaning policies have been adopted.

In Thailand, the 2005 National Strategy on Administration of Legal Status and Rights of Persons and 2008 changes in the Nationality Law ostensibly provided undocumented and migrant children, including stateless children, the right to attend primary and elementary school. Unfortunately, transportation or uniform costs continue to make education prohibitively expensive. Similarly, according to Children of the Forest, a child protection organization that works with stateless children and trafficking victims at the Thai-Myanmar border, among the common ways that children there become stateless is that parents will leave the hospital before registration because they couldn’t afford hospital services. Failure to register at the time of birth significantly increases the burden of registration at a later date. In 2015, the Thai government reported that over 18,000 previously stateless people had been given Thai nationality over the preceding three years. However, concerns over remaining obstacles in Thailand and elsewhere remain.

Gender discrimination in nationality laws is a significant contributor to statelessness. In Malaysia, although men and women confer nationality equally, children of Malaysian mothers born abroad only obtain citizenship at the discretion of the Malaysian Government. Mothers in Brunei have no right to pass nationality to their children. In a positive move, Singapore, in 2004, and Indonesia, in 2006, amended their nationality laws to permit mothers to pass citizenship to their children.

Three Approaches for the Elimination of Statelessness

The UNHCR acknowledges that some of the safeguards within the 1961 Convention have been enacted by ASEAN Member States. Still, accession to the two Conventions would provide the clearest framework for adapting national laws and policies to identifying, protecting, and eradicating statelessness within ASEAN. Although this is unlikely any time soon, there are three arguably more achievable measures that would strengthen the efforts to eradicate statelessness: empowering regional human rights bodies; emphasizing birth registration; and eliminating gender discriminatory nationality laws.

ASEAN created and empowered the AICHR and ACWC with a relatively robust mandate but they suffer from the lack of independence and weak enforcement capabilities. ASEAN’s Commitment to human rights, as expressed through the 2004 Vientiane Action Program and subsequent treaties, calls for strengthening such mechanisms.

This includes encouraging and working with States to withdraw reservations and amend laws that violate the right to nationality and birth registration, and localizing the legal definition of statelessness.

While civil society organizations are sometimes invited to regional consultations, the AICHR and ACWC remain under government authority. State representatives are largely coordinated by respective ministries of foreign affairs and not by national human rights institutions. Of course, national human rights institutions are not necessarily independent, as demonstrated in Myanmar and Thailand. However, AICHR and ACWC representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines have attempted to work around certain political obstacles by involving civil society and individual human rights defenders in the drafting or evaluation process, at times, and should be encouraged to do more so in terms of nationality issues.

Empowering regional human rights bodies to take a more active role in the identification and elimination of statelessness may also require the improvement of complaints mechanisms. Specifically, regional human rights bodies with a mandate over CEDAW and CRC should have specialized training and procedures for hearing complaints of arbitrary denaturalization, denial of nationality at birth or obstacles to birth registration.

The establishment of a regional human rights court would provide another forum for investigating and prosecuting the widespread or systematic arbitrary denial of nationality or grave human rights violations arising from the denial of nationality.

Registration at birth is of paramount importance. The ACWC mandate implies a role for the organization in birth registration campaigning and, in cooperation with child protection and gender experts, it should arguably take a more active role in harmonizing birth registration laws and advising campaigns throughout the region.

Drawing from Cambodia, efforts at raising awareness through television and radio should be maintained while other channels should be investigated and utilized. Public education during popular holidays would likely reach larger audiences. Because of challenges of birth registration campaigns reaching hill tribes or remote regions of Thailand, for example, efforts should be made to identify new strategies for locations or times of greatest community congregation. Registration campaigners should also concentrate around markets, where women may be likely to congregate. Campaigning should be increased around holidays when people from more remote areas are most likely to be present or when weather is more amenable to travel.

In order to address financial and administrative obstacles, a regional funding mechanism could be piloted to offset the costs of birth registration, including associated transportation costs. A period should be designated when birth registration is free, and after that waivers should be made available for the extremely poor.

There is also a role for innovative technology. Digital birth registration programs point to innovation in improving registration and archiving records.

A robust regional investigation into gender-based discrimination in nationality laws is a fundamental component of addressing statelessness. A widespread gender-based assessment of equal access to nationality should be conducted throughout ASEAN. Member states, especially Singapore and Indonesia, should work with Malaysia and Brunei to amend their Nationality Laws to abolish gender discrimination. Based on their mandates, this presents a strong opening for AICHR and ACWC involvement.

Admittedly there remain serious social and political obstacles to eradicating statelessness. Such obstacles have been reproduced through decades of structural violence and historical narratives of exclusion. The involvement of United Nations experts or foreign governments is not always greeted with fanfare. But ASEAN has made specific commitments and empowered regional bodies with a mandate to promote and protect human rights. Identifying and eradicating statelessness in ASEAN cannot be seen as a foreign imposition, as the government of Myanmar claims, but as an obligation inherent in the ASEAN Charter and within the mandate of regional bodies for the full realization of human rights for all.


Sumber - The Diplomat

Saudi plans new scheme to reduce unemployment

RIYADH 

SAUDI Arabia’s government plans a new set of labour quotas and incentives to reduce unemployment as it tries to wean its economy off oil exports, Labour Minister Mufrej al-Haqbani said yesterday.

The changes are part of a wider reform plan announced last week by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and reflect the difficulties the kingdom has faced for years in creating jobs for Saudi nationals.

“There is no doubt that unemployment is a looming spectre and we will take all measures, whether job creation, job substitution or even, if required, increasing the Saudisation target,” Haqbani told Reuters in an interview.

He was referring to the possibility of restricting certain jobs to Saudis and pressing companies to employ higher ratios of Saudis to foreign workers.

Cutting the jobless rate to seven per cent by 2030, and raising women’s participation in the labour force to 30 per cent from 22 per cent, are among a raft of targets in Prince Mohammed’s reform plan.

Under a government programme called Nitaquat (Categories), launched in 2011, companies are already encouraged to hire Saudis rather than cheaper foreign workers. Firms employing high ratios of Saudis receive preferential treatment from the labour ministry in processing work permits.

The scheme has had only limited success, however. The official unemployment rate among Saudis is 11.6 per cent and net employment of Saudis rose by only 49,000 in 2015, its slowest increase since records began in 1999, as the government cut spending because of low oil prices.

Haqbani said the government was ready to intervene on both the supply and the demand sides of the labour market. “We expect we will need from 1.1 million to 1.3 million jobs to reduce the unemployment rate to seven per cent.”

He said the government planned a new form of Nitaquat that would not focus merely on the numbers of Saudis hired but also on factors such as women’s employment, the average pay of Saudis, the ratio of the wages of Saudis to non-Saudis, and the sustainability of jobs occupied by local citizens.

“The new Nitaquat is not quantitative, based on the number of Saudis, but it will include other variables... We will announce it in two to three weeks, and it will be into effect within five months,” Haqbani said.

About 10 million foreigners are working in Saudi Arabia, doing many of the strenuous, dangerous and lower-paid jobs shunned by the 20 million local citizens. About two-thirds of Saudi workers are employed by the public sector.

But in recent months, the officials behind the economic reform drive have made it clear that they want the focus of job creation for Saudis to be in the private sector, as the government restrains its spending in an era of cheap oil.

“There are no exceptions from the Nitaquat for any sector, but the quotas are lower for some sectors according to their conditions,” Haqbani said.

“Retailing, for example, will be required to hire a bigger number of Saudis, while the construction sector doesn’t have this capability.”

The new form of Nitaquat could mean fresh pressure on the finances of private sector companies, which have complained of the cost of meeting the quotas. Some say they have found it impossible to find enough qualified Saudis, so they have simply recorded “ghost workers”on their books while continuing to employ large numbers of foreigners.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Brunei faces ageing population by 2030

Photo shows a member of the public registering for the Brunei Darussalam Healthcare
Information and Management System (BRU-HIMS) at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in 2012.
A UNDP report urged Brunei to create jobs, channel savings into investments and encourage
more female participation as the country moves toward an ageing population in 2030.

Darren Chin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE United Nations has urged Brunei to create jobs, channel savings into investments and encourage more female participation as the sultanate moves toward an ageing population in 2030.

In the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Report 2016 released earlier this week, Brunei was placed “in the middle of transition” bracket when it came to population demographics.

The report said Brunei, as part of Southeast Asia, will continue to see a large jump in the working-age population until 2030, after which the increase will slowly dissipate and move towards an ageing population as currently seen in countries such as Japan, China and Singapore.

The UN said Brunei needs to take action to make the most of the opportunity for growth in the changing population demographic.

“The region of Southeast Asia as a whole is expected to increase its working-age population by 10 per cent between 2015 and 2030, but only 0.4 per cent between 2030 and 2050,” it said.

“Countries will need to provide enough decent work, stimulate and manage their economies so that growth is inclusive, aligned with human development, expand the scope for savings and ensure people have capabilities, opportunities and freedoms to progress their lives,” it said.

The UN report called for the prioritising of job creation to maximise the outcome of the shift in demographics for countries in the middle bracket such as Brunei headed for an ageing population.

“The time has come to make job creation central to national development strategies, with a strong emphasis on protecting workers’ rights and policy measures to encourage small and medium enterprises.

“Structural transformation of the economy is also needed, to more productive activities, which would open new opportunities for people to find better work and prepare for the time when fewer numbers of workers will be needed to produce more to sustain development for an ageing population,” it added.

Latest statistics from the Department of Economic Planning and Development show that the population currently stands at 411,900 with males making up 51.8 per cent of the population.

The working-age population, citizens aged 15 to 59, make up 69.1 per cent of the population while children under 14 years old and senior citizens above the age of 60 account for 24.1 and 6.8 per cent of the population, respectively.

Statistics in the report projected that Brunei’s population will be around 500,000 people by 2030.

The UN report also advised Brunei as a country in the midst of a demographic transition to prepare for the financial requirements of sustaining development in the future.

“There is a need to widen the availability of financial instruments for investing in savings and one important avenue could be developing bond markets which are potentially a valuable source of income for municipalities aiming to keep up with rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion,” it said.

The report also called for action to ensure women are equal contributors to development as the demographic shifts towards an advanced stage when the population is evenly distributed across age groups. “Many women are spending disproportionate time on domestic caregiving, undercutting opportunities to generate an income and policies designed to ensure equal pay, rights for women, work and public safety will be critical for fully realising demographic dividends.

“Women also need to be full participants in political and economic decision-making, otherwise there will be a lower likelihood that policies and plans will fully support their capabilities and contributions to development,” the UN Development Programme added.

Statistics in the report show that Bruneian men currently earn nearly twice as much gross national income per capita ($121,353) than their female counterparts ($72,766).


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Divorce rate among Bruneian Muslims on the rise

Izzati Jalil
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE rate of divorce among Muslim Bruneians after ten years or more of marriage is on the rise, read the latest statistics from the Syariah Courts.

Statistics released on December 21, 2015, showed that 494 Muslim couples filed for divorce in 2014, an increase from 469 in 2013.

Out of the number of divorce cases in 2014, 155 of them were couples that had been married for ten to 19 years.

The statistics also showed that 81 divorce cases were from couples that had been married for more than 20 years.

These divorce cases were more prevalent among men aged between 30 to 39 and women aged between 25 to 34.

Acting Assistant Director of Islamic Da’wah Centre (PDI) Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz Hj Abd Kahar, also a marriage counselor at the centre, urged married couples to keep their romance alive and to maintain household responsibilities to keep their marriage intact.

He told The Brunei Times that marriage is a relationship in which one’s weaknesses are balanced by their partner’s strengths, in line with the Quran.

Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz noted that the rise in divorce is alarming and attributed this to irreconcilable differences as well as the neglect of responsibilities and provision of nafkah (sustenance).

“Most that seek counseling had poor financial knowledge and had neglected their (marriage) responsibilities,” he said.

He said couples with domestic conflicts that arise from constant disagreements should not just ‘settle’ for a divorce, but should instead put their differences aside, empower each other and seek marriage counseling.

The marriage counselor added that couples must be committed to meeting each other’s needs to build a lasting and happy marriage.

One such need is romance, he explained.

“The problem is that within the first few years after the wedding, the romantic flames that burned so brightly during engagement (burns out). It is important that even after marriage, husbands still do what they did when they first (marry). Same with the women,” said Ustaz Hj Abd Aziz.

“Help your spouse clean the house. Remind each other why you got married in the first place and, most importantly, respect (each other),” he said.

He went on to say that divorce trends have been heavily influenced by changing social norms.

“Women these days are less reliant on men for their financial stability, and there is also far less social stigma today about ending a marriage,” he said.

He urged couples who are looking to get married to attend post-marriage courses as this could help strengthen their marriage and reduce the number of divorces nationwide.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Timeline of women’s right to vote around the world

The right to vote has been a long struggle for women around the world

Paris: From the late 19th to the early 21st century, the right to vote has been a long struggle for women.

Saudis join the rest of the world on Saturday, leaving only Brunei, where neither men nor women hold this fundamental right.

Here is a look back:

1893

New Zealand blazes the way, extending the right to vote to women following a petition signed by about one quarter of the country’s adult female population. They must wait until 1919, however, to run for office as well.

Australia follows in 1902, but aborigines of both sexes remain excluded until 1962.


1906

Finnish women are the first in the world to be able to vote and run for office.

Scandinavian neighbours follow suit, beginning with Norway in 1913 and ending with Sweden in 1919.


1918

Germany and Russia join the movement, and it starts to gain traction.


1919

Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United States get with the programme, though on a state level in the US, Wyoming women could already vote in 1869 and their counterparts in Colorado in 1893.


1928

While Britain granted the right to vote to women aged 30 and older in 1918, its full extension did not come until 10 years later.

British suffragettes had launched their battle in 1903.


1934

Turkey is the first Muslim country excluding Soviet republics to open the door to women, an initiative of secular leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.


1944

France, the nation of human rights, grants women the right to vote nearly a century after men obtain it.


1971

Switzerland allows women to vote in federal elections, but the last canton to follow suit does so only in 1990.


1976

Poland extends the right to all women. Prior to that, women with university degrees had been allowed to vote since 1931.


1993

Moldova becomes the last country in Europe to grant women their full civic rights.


1994

South Africa extends the right to women of all colour. White women have voted since 1930 and mixed-race women since 1984.


1994-2006

Women in Gulf states join the others, with Oman making the step in 1994, Qatar in 1999, Bahrain in 2001 and Kuwait in 2005.

In 2006, rulers of the United Arab Emirates allow 6,000 men and women to vote.

In October, the list included 224,000 people, about one quarter of the total UAE population of just under one million.


2015

Saudi women vote and run for office for the first time, a decision taken in 2011 by the now late King Abdullah.


Sumber - GulfNews.com

Wanita Brunei capai kemajuan ketara

NEW YORK, 27 Sept – Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam bertitah menyatakan bahawa para perempuan dan wanita di Negara Brunei Darussalam mempunyai peluang yang sama rata untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kemahiran, khususnya bidang-bidang yang sentiasa berkembang seperti ICT.

Dengan pendidikan yang progresif dan peluang pekerjaan yang sama rata, titah Baginda, para wanita telah pun mencapai kedudukan dalam bidang-bidang profesional termasuk perubatan, undang-undang, bisnes dan kejuruteraan.

Dalam tempoh satu dekad, penyertaan wanita dalam tenaga kerja telah meningkat daripada 59 peratus kepada lebih 70 peratus.

Oleh kerana hampir separuh daripada penduduk Negara Brunei Darussalam terdiri daripada wanita, sumbangan mereka ke arah pembangunan nasional amatlah penting.

Baginda menyatakan sedemikian semasa mengurniakan titah pada Sidang Kemuncak Pemimpin-Pemimpin Global Mengenai Kesetaraan Gender dan Memperkasa Wanita, di Conference Room 4, Ibu Pejabat Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB), New York, Amerika Syarikat, hari ini.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia mula-mula bertitah merakamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada Presiden Republik Rakyat China, Tuan Yang Terutama Xi Jinping, dan Setiausaha Agung PBB, Tuan Yang Terutama Ban Ki-moon kerana menjunjung dan menjemput Baginda menghadiri sidang kemuncak tersebut.

Baginda seterusnya bertitah menyatakan bahawa ucapan alu-aluan yang telah disampaikan oleh kedua-dua pengerusi berkenaan penuh inspirasi dan berpandangan jauh. Baginda juga bertitah merakamkan ucapan penghargaan kepada Presiden Republik Rakyat China atas inisiatif mengadakan mesyuarat bersama dengan UN-Women.

Baginda kemudiannya bertitah bahawa mesyuarat berkenaan diadakan tepat pada masanya iaitu bersempena dengan ulang tahun ke-70 PBB dan bagi menerima pakai Agenda Pembangunan Pasca-2015.

Kepimpinan Negara China dalam menerajui isu kesetaraan gender dan memperkasa wanita adalah sangat dihargai. Walaupun setelah lebih 20 tahun, Deklarasi Beijing (Beijing Declaration) dan Wadah bagi Tindakan (Platform of Action) masih diguna pakai sebagai sumber panduan dan inspirasi, selain menjadi rangka tindakan yang progresif bagi kemajuan wanita di mana sahaja. Baginda turut menghargai sumbangan negara-negara Mexico, Denmark dan Kenya kepada isu penting tersebut.

Baginda turut melahirkan rasa gembira mengetahui pembangunan wanita telah mencapai kemajuan yang ketara.

Bagi Negara Brunei Darussalam, Baginda menitahkan pengalaman dalam isu berkenaan adalah berasaskan kepada dasar menyediakan akses universal kepada pendidikan yang telah sekian lama berjalan untuk semua. Pada tahun 1950an, di bawah kepimpinan bijaksana Ayahanda Baginda, Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, pendidikan diberikan secara percuma tanpa mengira jantina.

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia seterusnya bertitah melahirkan rasa gembira bahawa pada tahun lepas, Forum Ekonomi Sedunia (World Economic Forum) mengenai Jurang Gender Global (Global Gender Gap) telah melaporkan Negara Brunei Darussalam berada di kedudukan ke-7 dalam pendaftaran dan kemasukan wanita ke pengajian tinggi. Dengan kepesatan globalisasi, pembelajaran sepanjang hayat telah diberikan perhatian yang serius.

Baginda seterusnya menambah bahawa wanita di Brunei mempunyai akses yang sama rata kepada kemudahan penjagaan kesihatan, yang bersifat percuma kepada semua penduduk.

Sejak dua dekad yang lalu, jangka hayat wanita telah mengalami peningkatan kepada 80 tahun. Wanita juga semakin aktif dalam bidang perniagaan melalui pelbagai skim pinjaman kredit.

Baginda juga bertitah melahirkan kegembiraan bahawa lebih separuh daripada perniagaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di Brunei dimiliki oleh wanita, yang telah berdikari dalam bidang ekonomi. Baginda seterusnya bertitah bahawa Brunei juga membuat usaha-usaha untuk melindungi hak-hak wanita melalui perundangan dan pelan-pelan tindakan yang akan terus dikemas kini dari semasa ke semasa.

Di peringkat serantau, Brunei adalah sebahagian daripada Suruhanjaya ASEAN bagi Promosi dan Perlindungan Hak-hak Wanita dan Kanak-kanak.

Deklarasi ASEAN bagi Menghapuskan Keganasan Terhadap Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak telah diterima pakai semasa Brunei menjadi tuan rumah Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN pada tahun 2013.

Baginda seterusnya bertitah bahawa usaha-usaha berterusan Brunei untuk memenuhi tanggungjawab-tanggungjawab antarabangsa dipamerkan melalui komitmen kepada Matlamat Pembangunan Milenium (MDGs), Matlamat Pembangunan Mapan (SDGs) dan Persidangan Bagi Menghapuskan Semua Bentuk Diskriminasi Terhadap Wanita.

Baginda bertitah walaupun Brunei telah mencapai banyak kemajuan, masih ada banyak lagi yang perlu dilaksanakan bagi merealisasikan potensi penuh wanita dalam pembangunan negara. Oleh itu, peranan yang seimbang dan perkongsian yang dimainkan oleh lelaki dan wanita adalah mustahak.

Di akhir titah, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia melahirkan rasa gembira untuk mengesahkan lagi komitmen Negara Brunei Darussalam dalam melaksanakan matlamat-matlamat Deklarasi Beijing dan Wadah bagi Tindakan.

Mengiringi keberangkatan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia ialah Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim; Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan II (Kedua), Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng; dan Wakil Tetap Negara Brunei Darussalam ke PBB, Tuan Yang Terutama Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Ghafar bin Haji Ismail.


Sumber - Media Permata

‘Silence won’t prevent teen pregnancy’

Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

SILENCE would not help in preventing teen pregnancies, the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council president said yesterday.

Iswandy Ahmad said reproductive health is not openly discussed in Brunei, and the attitude of waiting for others to take action on social issues would only exacerbate the problem. Responding to the 3,405 teen pregnancies recorded from 2004 to 2013, he said a silent community is one of the reasons for the high numbers. “Young people are exposed to many things that may confuse them. Without proper life skills, education, right attitude and self-dignity, these social issues like teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are bound to happen,” he told The Brunei Times.

He said parents and teachers must help teenagers navigate in today’s world. “Teenagers nowadays have access to all kinds of information from their friends and the Internet. Showing them love and having an open ‘let’s talk about anything’ policy will help them feel free to speak to adults about matters that they need to know about,” said Iswandy.

“Any form of education should start at home, and reproductive health education — including aurat (covering parts of the body based on Islam) between mahram (legally married couple) and non-mahram — should be done at home to form a healthy social relationship,” he added.

Iswandy said reproductive health education is not an eve-ryday topic to be discussed openly as Asian culture is generally respectful. “Nonetheless, appropriate ways need to be addressed. For example, parents must relate teenage pregnancy to unhealthy relationships, where religion and society forbid the act of zina (fornication),” he said.

The president said reproductive health education includes Islamic teachings such as aurat, mandi wajib (full body cleansing) and fiqh munakahat (provisions of Islamic law on marriage). “We should not just copy and paste other countries’ ways. We should adapt to the culture in Brunei.”

Hj Saili Hj Chuchu, education officer at the Department of Schools, said parents should share the responsibility of educating their children on reproductive health so that they would understand the repercussions of pre-marital sex.

“Parents should stress the importance of culture and Islamic values to their children. We need to remind our children to stay away from zina (illegal sexual intercourse). At home, parents must strengthen their aqidah (faith),” he said, adding that the actions of children mirror that of their parents.

Parents should always remind their children that Islam prohibits unmarried males and females to be alone in a room as it may raise fitnah (false accusation). “When parents remind their young children at home about the repercussions of sexual activities outside marriage, the children would have strong Islamic values when they grow up,” he said.

Ali Yusri Abdul Ghafor, acting head/assistant director of Counselling and Career Section of the Department of Schools, said reproductive health education should be integrated with Islamic values and the MIB (Malay Muslim Monarchy) doctrine. “When we (school counsellors) are approached by students about topics pertaining to reproductive health education, we would remind them about Islamic values such as the sin of pre-marital sex and tell them about the moral obligation of preserving our MIB concept,” he said.

Ali Yusri, who has been counselling students since 1998, said the curiosity of students about reproductive health should be approached carefully to prevent the students from being misled about sexual intercourse.

Mazlan Hanif from Kg Rimba said he has never talked about reproductive health to his children. “It would be strange to teach your children on how to put on a con-dom. I think teaching this would make your children more curious about sex rather than preventing it,” said the 51-year-old father, who has four children.

He fears that teaching reproductive health to children would encourage them to experience pre-marital sex. “If we start to teach children on how to have safe sex, wouldn’t that encourage them to learn how to have sexual intercourse by putting on condoms and taking birth control pills?

“Even if you manage to teach your children about sex, you won’t get a response from them. Instead, they will talk with their friends. Now boys and girls become friends not like in the past. They will talk about it and who knows what will happen,” he added.

Another parent, Wahab, said: “Some parents are not aware that their children can access porn on the Internet and at the tip of their fingers. If this is left unchecked, it would be a problem.”


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Over 3,000 teen pregnancies in 10 years

Izzati Jalil
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Maternal and Child Health Clinic has recorded over 3,000 teen pregnancies in 10 years, including an 11-year-old girl becoming the youngest mother in Brunei, a medical officer at the Health Promotion Centre said.

Dr Hjh Norol-Ehsan Hj Abd Hamid said a total of 3,405 teen pregnancies were reported from 2004 to 2013.

She said that even though the number of teen pregnancies seemed high, it does not give a clear picture as there are still those who are not registered at the health clinic.

The medical officer gave a talk on infectious diseases and teen pregnancies to Sayyidina Husain Secondary School students and staff yesterday.

She went on to say that the teen birth rate has declined almost continuously over the past decade, noting the drop of 456 unplanned teen pregnancies in 2004 to 264 in 2013. While there was a drop in the pregnancy rate for the 10-19 age group from 2004 and 2013, she said reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the sultanate have increased.

Dr Hjh Norol-Ehsan said statistics showed that there were 50 reported cases of teens suffering from STIs in 2000, while 68 cases were recorded in 2010.

Even though there’s only been an increase of 18 cases within a span of 10 years, the numbers are still alarming, she added.

“You may think you like someone so much that you engage in sexual activities with your girlfriend or boyfriend, but you must remember the risks and consequences that come with it,” she told the Year Nine students.

“What if you impregnate someone’s daughter or become pregnant just because you’re too in the moment? Who is going to be held accountable for the child? You must be responsible for your behaviour,” she continued.

The medical officer added that adolescents who are exposed to early sexual experiences are influenced by what they see on the media or even friends.

“With the easy access of media, you may feel curious to know more about sex or how it feels like, so that’s why youngsters engage in illicit activities despite it being forbidden by Islam,” she said.

Speaking to The Brunei Times, Dr Hjh Norol-Ehsan said she hoped the students would be able to share the knowledge with their peers who may not know about the consequences of having multiple sex partners.

“Some of the students don’t talk about it openly with their parents at home, so instead they talk among their friends and some of the information shared may not be accurate. Hopefully today will give them a more accurate outlook on teenage pregnancy and sex,” she said. A total of 216 students from Sayyidina Husain Secondary school attended the talk, which was held to raise awareness on the effects of unplanned pregnancy.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Hampir semua sasaran MDGs dicapai

Oleh Sim Y. H.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 2 Mac – Negara Brunei Darussalam hampir mencapai kesemua lapan Matlamat Pembangunan Milenium (MDGs) yang disasarkan yang mana Brunei telah berjaya untuk menghapuskan kemiskinan yang melampau, penyakit-penyakit berjangkit telah berjaya ditangani serta negara terus memperbaiki kedudukan ekuiti secara progresif.

Di samping itu, peluang-peluang pendidikan disediakan bagi pelajar-pelajar lelaki dan perempuan pada setiap peringkat dan wanita kini mempunyai tahap penyertaan dalam tenaga kerja yang tinggi serta jumlah bagi menjawat jawatan kanan di sektor awam juga meningkat.

Pada masa yang sama, Negara Brunei Darussalam juga merupakan di antara kumpulan negara yang menguruskan sumber asli dan alam sekitarnya selaras dengan prinsip pembangunan mampan.

Perkara itu dinyatakan oleh Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perancangan dan Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE), Haji Abdul Amin bin Haji Hashim dalam kata alu-aluannya di Majlis Penandatanganan Kontrak Perjanjian Perkhidmatan Bagi Penyediaan Laporan Ketiga Matlamat Pembangunan Milenium (MDGs) Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berlangsung di Hotel Badi’ah, Bandar Seri Begawan, hari ini.

Hadir di majlis berkenaan bagi menyaksikan penandatanganan itu ialah Pemangku Ketua Pengarah JPKE, Pengiran Hajah Rosnah binti Pengiran Haji Damit.

Turut hadir ialah pegawai-pegawai kanan kerajaan serta ahli-ahli Focal Points MDGs yang telah dilantik dari pelbagai agensi kerajaan yang berkenaan.

Haji Abdul Amin dalam kata alu-aluannya turut menyatakan bahawa Brunei juga melihat dirinya sebagai sebahagian daripada kerjasama global dalam pembangunan dan kerjasama sokongan teknikal bagi manfaat negara-negara yang kurang membangun.

Di samping itu, Brunei juga terus melabur dalam sumber manusia negara termasuk dalam sains dan teknologi untuk mengekalkan momentum pembangunan negara.

Pada masa yang sama, beliau menyatakan adalah amat penting bagi semua pihak untuk menggandakan lagi usaha hasil daripada pencapaian yang sedia ada supaya akan mampu untuk meningkatkan lagi pencapaian itu dari segi kualiti pembangunan sosioekonomi.

Majlis diteruskan dengan penandatanganan kontrak perjanjian di antara kerajaan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan perunding yang disyorkan oleh Program Pembangunan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu, PT Asia Strategik, Indonesia.

Menandatangani bagi pihak kerajaan ialah Haji Abdul Amin dan bagi pihak PT Asia Strategik ialah Dr Staish Mishra dengan penandatanganan itu disaksikan oleh Pengiran Hajah Rosnah.

Penandatanganan itu menandakan permulaan penyediaan Laporan Ketiga bagi Negara Brunei Darussalam mengenai Pelaksanaan MDGs Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu.

Selepas majlis penandatanganan berkenaan, seminar telah dijalankan oleh Dr Satish Moishra bagi mendapatkan pemahaman yang lebih baik mengenai proses-proses yang diperlukan dalam penyediaan laporan berkenaan.

Seminar itu juga sebagai satu forum bagi membincangkan dengan lebih lanjut lagi perkara-perkara berkaitan perkembangan dan isu-isu yang dihadapi oleh Focal Points MDGs dalam pengumpulan data dan maklumat MDGs yang berkaitan dengan agensi kementerian masing-masing.

Negara Brunei Darussalam telah mencapai hampir kesemua sasaran MDGs dan Laporan Negara Ketiga itu adalah sebagai susulan kepada laporan MDGs pertama dan kedua yang masing-masing telah diterbitkan pada 2005 dan 2010.

Laporan ketiga itu merupakan laporan terakhir bagi menilai pencapaian dan pengalaman negara dalam MDGs yang akan menjadi satu tanda aras sebagai persediaan negara menghadapi Agenda Pembangunan PBB Pasca-2015.

Laporan MDGs itu akan merangkumi pelbagai petunjuk pembangunan dan akan digunakan semasa Sidang Kemuncak Ketua-Ketua Negara, PBB pada September 2015.

Sasaran MDGs pada 2015 adalah berasaskan kepada Deklarasi Milenium yang telah dipersetujui oleh 189 buah negara-negara anggota PBB semasa Perhimpunan Milenium pada September 200.

Lapan sasaran atau matlamat pembangunan yang digariskan oleh PBB adalah membasmi kemiskinan dan kelaparan, mencapai pendidikan rendah yang sejagat, meningkatkan kesaksamaan jantina dan memperkasakan wanita, mengurangkan mortaliti (kematian) kanak-kanak, memperbaiki kesihatan ibu bersalin, mencegah HIV/AIDS, malaria dan penyakit lain, memastikan alam sekitar yang mantap serta mewujudkan perkongsian global untuk pembangunan.


Sumber - Media Permata

Divorce rate down 12% in 2013

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

DIVORCE rates across the nation dropped by 12 per cent in 2013, according to the latest official statistics released by the government.

The Department of Economic Planning and Development’s key indicators available on its website show that fewer marriages ended in divorce, with 502 divorces filed in 2013 compared with 570 in 2012.

Most of the divorces, totaling 369 cases, were in Brunei-Muara District, where over half the country’s population resides.

The figure showed an 8.6 per cent decrease from 2012.

Tutong District recorded the biggest decline at 35.2 per cent with 44 divorces in 2013 compared with 68 in 2012.

Meanwhile, Belait District saw a 10.3 per cent drop to 78 divorces from 87 in 2012.

Divorce rates in Temburong District, Brunei’s least populous district, remained the same in 2013 with only 11 divorces.

Of the types of divorces filed in 2013, 469 were among Muslim marriages and 33 were among civil marriages.

Although 2013 showed a decline in divorce rates nationwide from 2012, the statistics were higher than 2011, when 334 divorces were recorded.

It was previously reported that post-marriage courses were proven effective in reducing the number of divorces nationwide.

The three-day course, organised by the Family Counseling Service Section at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, aimed to raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of married couples in fortifying the family institution.

It took place for the first time in Tutong and Belait districts last year.

However, three courses have been held in Brunei-Muara District in recent years.

There were also plans to hold the course in Temburong District.

A previous survey based on 583 marital complaints received by the ministry found that the most common causes of divorces were irreconcilable differences as well as neglect of responsibilities and providing nafkah (sustenance).

Irreconcilable differences topped the list of reasons for divorces with 193 complaints or 33.15 per cent, followed by neglect of responsibilities with 184 complaints or 31.73 per cent.

Other reasons for divorces listed in the survey included infidelity, violence, absent spouse or foreign spouse not returning from the country of origin, polygamy, drug abuse and spouses in detention or prison.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Over 5,000 divorce cases in a decade

Nadzri Zailani
Wednesday, October 1, 2014

MOST domestic conflicts arise from constant disagreements among Muslim couples in Brunei, said a Syariah Affairs Department official.

A total of 5,098 divorces were filed at the Syariah Courts from 2002 to 2012, said Ustaz Hj Saharuddin Hj Patra (pictured), head of Family Advice Services Division yesterday.

During the first post-marriage course held in Tutong, he said the most common reason of domestic conflicts was couples not understanding each other and constantly in disagreement.

Delivering his working paper, ‘Resolving Marital Conflicts According to the Way of Islam’, he said husbands ignoring their responsibilities was also common.

Other common reasons stated were infidelity, domestic abuse, problems arising from polygamy and foreign spouses returning to their homeland.

He said not all of the domestic conflicts led to divorce, as some couples managed to reconcile.

“Domestic conflicts or crisis can be found in two situations, one in which they are clear and obvious, for example when a husband and wife constantly quarrel, blame each other, insult each other and have short tempers. The second situation is when it is unclear, can’t be seen and not obvious,” said Ustaz Hj Saharuddin.

“Islam has a comprehensive approach in dealing with family conflicts. Its implemented in stages starting with advice, isolating the spouse or separating where you sleep, and have a tahkim or appoint a mediator such as someone from the Family Advice Service Division,” he said.

He added that if all the steps do not work, then the final step to deal with domestic conflict would be to file for divorce at the courts.

Ustaz Hj Saharuddin further gave practical ways to resolve domestic conflicts, such as to ensure trust between the husband and wife by having a “husband knows, wife knows” situation.

“This means the husband knows everything about the wife, while the wife knows everything about the husband. There shouldn’t be any secrets held between a husband and wife.”

Another advice was to apply management theories into the household by thinking creatively, critically and analytically or using SWOT analysis to help find and solve the source of the conflict.

“Tolerance and understanding must exist between husband and wife to maintain a harmonious and happy household,” he added.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Women’s right protected under Syariah law

Syazwani Hj Rosli

THE implementations of the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013, which will begin to be enforced this April in phases, certainly preserved and protected the well-being of women.

This statement was highlighted by Hajah Norhatijah binti Haji Puteh, an officer from the Legal Syar’ie Office at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, while delivering a talk in a forum concerning women’s matter which was held in conjunction with the celebration of International Women’s Day held at the Sejahtera Hall of Sumbangsih Bahagia in Beribi.

In her presentation, Hajah Norhatijah focused on the general offences of women which will be implemented during the first phase of the Order such as Musahaqah (lesbian), out of wedlock pregnancy, having sexual intercourse out of wedlock, close proximity (Khalwat), indecent act and other matters related to the welfare of women.

During her talk, Hajah Norhatijah also stressed on the issues which have always been raised by the public on offences under Section 197 of the Order, ‘Indecent Behaviour’ in which offenders will be guilty of an offence and will be convicted with a fine not more than $2,000, imprisonment within a term not exceeding six month or both.

According to her, Muslim and non-Muslim women who wear indecent clothing that tarnish Islamic images in public settings, indecent behaviour that causes anger of those who witness, brings upon negative influences and corrupts moral values, will be considered committing offences under the section.

She also gave an emphasis on Section 198 of the Order for cross-dressing offenders, women who dressed up like men or vice versa. These offenders will only be convicted if they are wearing it without any reasonable or immoral purposes.

She highlighted that if the purpose of wearing the specified attire required for the job such as artist then it will not be considered as an offence. On the case of men who dressed like a female, if they are inherently soft then it would not also be considered as an offence.

Hajah Norhatijah also touched on offences made relating to family issues, acts as meidators and social issues as well.

“With the implementation of this order, it is hoped that it will stimulate positive changes among the youths, especially female teenagers, to not fall into the offences described.”

Siti Noraziah Haji Asli, Assistant Officer from the Dakwah Dissemination Section of the Islamic Dakwah Centre, also took the opportunity to deliver a muslimah talk which mainly highlighted on performing one’s Solat (prayers), punishments in the Hereafter for those who do not perform as well as importance of covering the aurah (aurat) and the right attire to be worn by a Muslimah.

The forum was well-received by the 500 women who were invited to participate and gain knowledge from the panelists of the forum which is expected to be shared with their family, friends and children.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin Online

HIV cases among women rise

Billah Hasan
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE percentage of new reported cases of HIV among women in Brunei Darussalam increased from 15 per cent to 37.5 per cent between 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.

More than one-third of newly reported HIV cases involve women and girls, according to The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, in its country brief report on affected women and girls in Brunei.

The majority of cases were due to unsafe heterosexual intercourse with infected partners.

Meanwhile, among the new HIV cases reported between 2010 and 2011, 40 per cent were married at the time of diagnosis. It was also noted that in 2011 Brunei recorded the first and only case of mother-to-child transmission since 1995.

According to the report, those affected included women and girls living with HIV, female intimate partners of men with high-risk behaviour and female migrant workers who may be vulnerable to HIV due to conditions by which they migrate.

With the rising number of HIV cases in the country, relevant authorities have striven to improve public access to health services, especially those involved in risky behaviour to get tested for HIV.

In terms of access to health services, the government provides free and comprehensive health care to all citizens and permanent residents of Brunei. This includes all aspects of prevention, care, treatment and support for HIV, although there is no separate budget specifically allocated for HIV/AIDS.

First-line antiretrovirals are readily provided to citizens and permanent residents. Although available, second- and third-line have to be applied for on an individual basis. According to the report, 17 adults and children with advanced HIV infection received antiretroviral therapy in 2010.

To minimise mother-to-child transmission, Brunei has compulsory antenatal screening for HIV for pregnant women. Dried Blood Spot technology is also available to detect viral genetic material during pregnancy, according to the report.

On the other hand, access to health for Brunei’s migrants and overseas workers is dependent on their work contract and permit.

Under the Infectious Disease Order 2003, it is compulsory for all clinicians to report positive cases to the Department of Health Services. The Infectious Disease Order 2003 also specifically protects the confidentiality of all persons who are diagnosed. The order also criminalises HIV transmission and exposure by HIV positive people.

UN Women’s country report on Brunei on HIV and key affected women and girls was developed by the Asia-Pacific Interagency Task Team on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV. The collected data is used to improve understanding of women and girls most at risk of, and most affected by, HIV in the region.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Iswandy Ahmad, the president of the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council said it was important to empower women and girls with sexual reproductive knowledge.

“Biologically and culturally, women are more susceptible to HIV infection from men or their spouse who are infected with HIV. As HIV is transmitted from unsafe sexual relations, sharing infected syringes ... it is of vital for girls and women have access to correct information, accessible health services and are self-empowered.”

Iswandy added that men should also play their part in behaving responsibly to avoid infecting their female partners. He said that with more young women and girls attending full-time education to the highest level and building careers, (life-skills) education and policies should address the gender-specific needs of women, for example reproductive health.

“I call on all women to empower themselves with the correct knowledge and to behave responsibly – including men too. Authorities must have supporting policies on active involvement for women and young girls on issues as well as programmes on HIV and AIDS and reproductive health that affect them,” he said.

Iswandy added that the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council would be releasing the results of a preliminary survey on the public’s general knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS in Brunei Darussalam today. At the moment, there is virtually no data available on HIV knowledge and the vulnerability of the population in Brunei Darussalam, according to the report released by UN Women. There is a complete lack of data on risk behaviours among key population as well as among the general population, it added.

The recent survey by the council will help to formulate better strategies for effective HIV prevention . There are also plans by relevant authorities to initiate behavioural surveillance among youth and at schools over the next few years.

World AIDS day is observed annually on December 1.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

ASEAN to sign new declaration on protecting women and children

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ASEAN leaders are expected to sign a new declaration on the elimination of violence against women and children after a committee met in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to finalise the draft.

The draft declaration will contain commitments to build adequate national welfare systems and legislation to protect women and children against violence in times of disaster, migration and labour, among others.

The declaration, which will be submitted to leaders this October at the ASEAN Summit in Brunei, will also include provisions on cyber pornography and cyber bullying.

Datin Paduka Hjh Intan Hj Mohd Kassim, Brunei representative and chairman of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), said it would be an enhancement to the declaration made in 2004.

"With the signing of the declaration, we hope that there will be more effort expended to protecting the rights of both women and children in ASEAN countries," she said at the conclusion of the meeting.

"Everybody should play a role in eliminating violence against women and children, and we hope that all countries and civil societies will support this declaration."

Datin Paduka Hjh Intan said ACWC would conduct a survey on cases involving violence against women and children in ASEAN countries.

"It is a project that we intend to implement within five years to know and understand the impact of violence on our children and women."

ACWC also submitted 10 proposals for funding by the European Union to improve the condition of women and children in Southeast Asia.

ACWC was inaugurated on April 2010 and comprises 20 representatives from 10 ASEAN countries.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Rising divorce rate a worrying trend

Hanaffi Hidup
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

DIVORCE declared outside the Syariah Court account for the highest of all divorce statistics in Brunei Darussalam, with 106 reported cases in 2012 alone.

In 2012, Brunei-Muara District accounted for the highest among all four districts with 122 cases filed.

Tutong came second with 33 reported cases, Kuala Belait with 18 and three in Temburong District.

The overall rate of divorce remained stagnant for 2011 and 2012 with a total of 176 cases altogether. Tutong district however saw a slight increase from 27 cases in 2011 to 33 in 2012.

According to Syariah law, a divorce should be filed legally in the court. Nevertheless, the instances of husband divorcing their wife outside the court's jurisdiction was a mainstay among the public.

This could happen due to intense argument where either one of the spouses felt that the marriage could no longer be saved and they could not wait for legal proceedings to put the "talaq" (divorce) into effect.

According to the Brunei Darussalam Government Gazette Chapter 55 (Islamic Family Law 1999), "a man who has divorced his wife by pronouncing a talaq in whatever form outside of the Court and without the permission of the Court, shall within seven days report the pronouncement of talaq to the court."

The court would then hold a hearing to determine if the "talaq" had been validly pronounced in accordance with Syariah law. If so, the court would make an order confirming the divorce by "talaq" where it would be recorded and a certified copy of the record delivered to the Registrar and the Chief Registrar for registration.

Failure for the husband to report the pronouncement to the court within seven days would result in two penalties; first, he would have to pay a total of $2000 for declaring the "talaq" outside of Syariah court. Secondly, another $2000 should be paid for going over seven days to report the pronouncement of divorce. However, if the man was unable to pay, he would be imprisoned up to six months.

Apart from the "talaq" pronounced outside the legal boundary of Syariah court, divorce by "fasakh" was the second most prevalent trend in the Sultanate. There was however a decrease of "fasakh" in 2012 with twenty seven reported cases compared to forty-six in 2011.

"Fasakh" is an Arabic referrence to annulment of a marriage by reason or any circumstances permitted by Syariah law.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Brunei sambut Hari Wanita Antarabangsa 2013 : Perkembangan wanita Brunei membanggakan

Oleh: Saerah Haji Abdul Ghani

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sabtu, 9 Mac. – Perjuangan hak dan perlindungan kaum wanita setentunya merentasi generasi dan sempadan serta meliputi pelbagai bidang yang saling berkait rapat.

Negara kita telah mencapai tahap pembangunan kaum wanita yang amat membanggakan sehingga dapat menandingi dan malah mengatasi pencapaian kaum lelaki dalam beberapa aspek.

Timbalan Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Adina binti Othman menjelaskan demikian semasa berucap selaku tetamu kehormat merasmikan Sambutan Hari Wanita Antarabangsa 2013 berlangsung di Dewan Digadong, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan (KKBS), di sini.

Yang Mulia Datin Paduka berkata, wanita negara kita hari ini bukan sahaja terlibat aktif dalam proses perlaksanaan sebarang projek dan program, malah menjadi penyumbang yang efektif dalam proses perancangan, pentadbiran dan pengurusan.

Mereka juga jelasnya telah berjaya menembusi bidang kerjaya yang pada tradisinya didominasi oleh kaum lelaki seperti ketenteraan, kejuruteraan dan kesukanan.

Namun dalam meraikan kejayaan dan perkembangan kaum wanita, Timbalan Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan menegaskan agar kaum wanita tidak alpa terhadap segelintir yang masih menjadi mangsa keganasan dan penindasan.

"Kita seharusnya meneruskan usaha gigih kita untuk menghapuskan semua jenis keganasan terhadap wanita dan memperkasa kaum wanita untuk terus berwaspada terhadap ancaman-ancaman yang boleh menggugat pencapaian yang telah kita raih sejauh ini," tambah Yang Mulia Datin Paduka.

Menyentuh mengenai tema sambutan Hari Antarabangsa Wanita yang dipilih oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu untuk tahun ini iaitu 'A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women' ataupun 'Janji Tetap Janji: Masa Untuk Menghentikan Keganasan Terhadap Wanita', Timbalan Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan menyeru semua pihak yang berkepentingan untuk mengambil tindakan yang lebih proaktif dalam memperkasa kaum wanita agar mereka sendiri dapat menyelesaikan permasalahan dan berkeupayaan untuk mengatasi segala cabaran dan rintangan yang mereka hadapi.

"Seorang wanita yang menyedari kelemahan diri sendiri dan ingin berusaha untuk memperbaikinya untuk meningkatkan potensi diri adalah seorang wanita yang hebat dan berwibawa tinggi. Jadilah wanita itu hari ini," ujarnya.

Majlis diisikan dengan ceramah motivasi yang disampaikan oleh Awang Isham bin Awang Ismail dari Pusat Da'wah Islamiah yang menyentuh mengenai salah satu langkah yang boleh memberikan kesan yang positif terhadap kaum wanita agar mereka mengenali potensi yang ada pada diri mereka, memperbaiki kelemahan dan memanfaatkan kekuatan diri yang wujud secara semula jadi dalam diri mereka tanpa disedari.

Hari Wanita Antarabangsa diraikan pada setiap 8 Mac dengan sambutan tahunan diadakan secara global di kebanyakan negara di mana Negara Brunei Darussalam membawakan tema yang bertajuk 'Agenda Gender: Mencapai Momentum'.

Antara tujuan utama sambutan ialah untuk menghargai kemajuan dan pencapaian wanita dan seterusnya meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai peri mustahaknya ekuiti gender dalam semua aspek kehidupan.

Dipetik dari - Pelita Brunei

Divorce after 10-14 years rises among Muslim couples

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

DIVORCE rates in the country continue to rise among Muslim couples who have been married for 10 to 14 years.

The Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook (BDSYB) for 2011, which was released last week, revealed that marriages lasting 10 to 14 years have consistently topped the divorce rates over the past five years.

These couples account for 20.6 per cent or 95 cases out of the 459 divorces registered in 2011. However, overall divorce rates have dropped 4.9 per cent last year compared to 2010.

Citing figures from the State Judiciary Department at the Prime Minister's Office, the report indicated that Muslim couples who have been married for more than a decade are up to five times more likely to end in divorce.

Meanwhile, 65 per cent of divorces occur in couples aged from 25 to 39. High divorce rates are also found among couples aged from 25 to 29 and 40 to 44.

Out of the 4,844 newlyweds among the Muslim community in Brunei last year, 3,105 were from 20 to 29 years of age. People who wed in their thirties account for 1,120 marriages, while 246 teenagers aged 15 to 29 decided to tie the knot.

According to the Minister of Religious Affairs, the common causes of divorce were irreconcilable differences, followed by neglecting responsibilities and providing nafkah (sustenance).

Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Muhammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said a random survey conducted by the ministry on 583 complaints received found that irreconcilable differences was the top reason for divorce with 193 complaints or 33.15 per cent.

Another leading cause cited was neglecting one's responsibilities and nafkah at 184 complaints or 31.73 per cent, he disclosed during the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting this year.

He highlighted other reasons for divorce in the country which included infidelity, violence, absent spouse or foreign spouse not returning from the country of origin, polygamy, drug abuse and spouse in detention or prison.

In a move to tackle divorce rates, YB Pg Dato Dr Hj Muhammad said the ministry regularly conducts talks on family institutions for civil servants and new converts.

Other initiatives include pre-marriage courses for future brides and grooms that are held twice a week. Since July, the content of the courses have been extended to cover topics on health and household financial management.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Brunei ranks 11th in higher education for women: WEF

Koo Jin Shen
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI ranks 11th in the world when it comes to women in higher education, according to the 2012 Global Gender Gap report by World Economic Forum, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Representing Brunei at the 4th Ministerial Conference on The Role Of Women in Development of the Organisation of The Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman reiterated the Sultanate's commitment to improving the status of women in the country.

The deputy minister said it was compulsory for all children to be in full-time education, and that the order had been enforced since 2007. Additionally, Muslim children would have to undergo compulsory religious education from January 2013.

Datin Paduka Hjh Adina also said Brunei was increasing women's participation in the workplace. She said the ratio of female to male workers was 62 to 78, adding that women also received equal pay and that Brunei ranked 35th in the global report, in terms of women's participation in the fields of law, management and shareholding in senior positions.

To achieve sustainable growth, Brunei is focused on developing its human resources by encouraging greater participation by women in national development, human rights and social justice, she said.

Women are seen as a driving force for socio-economic development, she said, pointing out that the Special Committee on Women's Issues had approved the National Action Plan on Women and the Family Institution. The action plan covers law, policy, economics, education, health and work-life harmony.

The Fourth Conference carried the theme "Strengthening Participation and the Role of Women in Economic Development in OIC Countries".

Attended by 172 delegates from 43 OIC member states, the conference approved the "Jakarta Declaration", which among other things outlines the commitment of member states to empowering women in the area of economics, education, health, employment and the provision of training.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Most Muslims Want Democracy, Personal Freedoms, and Islam in Political Life

Few Believe U.S. Backs Democracy

OVERVIEW

More than a year after the first stirrings of the Arab Spring, there continues to be a strong desire for democracy in Arab and other predominantly Muslim nations. Solid majorities in Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan believe democracy is the best form of government, as do a plurality of Pakistanis.

Indeed, these publics do not just support the general notion of democracy – they also embrace specific features of a democratic system, such as competitive elections and free speech.

A substantial number in key Muslim countries want a large role for Islam in political life. However, there are significant differences over the degree to which the legal system should be based on Islam.

The United States is not seen as promoting democracy in the Middle East. In newly democratic Tunisia, only about three-in-ten believe the American response to the political upheaval in their country has had a positive impact.

Despite the tumult and uncertainty of the last year, views about democracy are mostly unchanged since 2011, although support has declined somewhat in Jordan. Enthusiasm for democracy tends to be generally less intense in Jordan and in Pakistan. It is consistently strong in Lebanon and Turkey.

While democratic rights and institutions are popular, they are clearly not the only priorities in the six Muslim majority nations surveyed. In particular, the economy is a top concern. And if they had to choose, most Jordanians, Tunisians and Pakistanis would rather have a strong economy than a good democracy. Turks and Lebanese, on the other hand, would prefer democracy. Egyptians are divided.

There is also a strong desire for Islam to play a major role in the public life of these nations, and most want Islam to have at least some influence on their country’s laws. Majorities in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt believe laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Quran, while most Tunisians and a 44%-plurality of Turks want laws to be influenced by the values and principles of Islam, but not strictly follow the Quran.

About four-in-ten Lebanese say laws should not be influenced at all by the teachings of the Quran, although on this issue – as on many issues – views vary sharply along religious and sectarian lines. While 63% of Lebanese Christians and 38% of Sunni Muslims say laws should not be guided by the Quran, just 13% of Shia Muslims agree.

Just as opinions about religion and politics vary across these six nations, so do views about gender equality. Majorities in all six believe women should have equal rights as men, and more than eight-in-ten hold this view in Lebanon and Turkey. However, in Egypt – where the role of women in society has been a heavily debated issue throughout the post-Mubarak transition period – a slimmer 58%-majority favors equal rights, while 36% oppose the idea. Only 53% of Egyptian men endorse equal rights.

Moreover, while many support the general principle of gender equality, there is less enthusiasm for gender parity in politics, economics, and family life. For instance, many believe men make better political leaders, that men should have more of a right to a job than women when jobs are scarce, and that families should help choose a woman’s husband.

These are among the key findings from a survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, conducted in six predominantly Muslim nations March 19 to April 20.1 The poll, which is part of the broader 21-nation spring 2012 Global Attitudes survey, found considerable optimism – at least among Arab publics – about the prospects for democracy in the region. Solid majorities in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon said the 2011 popular uprising would lead to more democracy in the Middle East. Turks and Pakistanis, on the other hand, were less hopeful.

This report includes a special section on Tunisian public opinion (see Part II). In the nation where the Arab Spring began, large majorities say they are dissatisfied with the country’s direction and its economic situation. While Tunisians embrace their country’s nascent democracy, they are divided over whether things in their country have actually gotten better since long-running dictator President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was forced from office. Still, most are hopeful about Tunisia’s future and optimistic that the economy will improve in the next 12 months. And despite the dissatisfaction with current conditions, the ruling Islamist party Ennahda receives positive marks from 65% of Tunisians.

Both Democracy and Economy Are Priorities

Majorities in five of the six nations polled (and a plurality of Pakistanis) believe democracy is the best form of government. Moreover, there is a strong desire in these nations for specific democratic rights and institutions, such as competitive multi-party elections and freedom of speech.

Other goals are also clearly important. Many say political stability is a crucial priority, and even more prioritize economic prosperity. When respondents are asked which is more important, a good democracy or a strong economy, Turkey and Lebanon are the only countries where more than half choose democracy. Egyptians are divided, while most Tunisians, Pakistanis and Jordanians prioritize the economy.

Overall, views about the economic situation in these countries are grim, although Turkey is a notable exception. Nearly six-in-ten Turks (57%) say their country’s economy is in good shape, but at least seven-in-ten in Pakistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan offer negative assessments.

A Major Role for Islam in Public Life

In five of six nations, solid majorities say Islam is already playing a large role in the country’s political life. In newly democratic Tunisia, where the Islamist party Ennahda won the largest share of votes in the recent parliamentary elections, fully 84% think Islam has a major role.

Similarly, in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood has won both parliamentary and presidential elections, 66% hold this view, up from 47% two years ago.

The view that Islam plays a large role in political life has also become more prevalent in Pakistan over the last two years. Meanwhile, more than six-in-ten in Turkey and Lebanon believe Islam is a major part of political life in their countries. This view is especially pervasive among Lebanese Christians – 75% think Islam has a major role.

The clear exception on this issue is Jordan. Only 31% of Jordanians believe Islam currently plays a large part in their nation’s political life, while 63% say it has a small role. Among the majority of Jordanians who say Islam is playing a small role, 80% say it is a bad thing that Islam has only a minor part in the country’s politics.

Support for Gender Equality – but Not in All Circumstances

While majorities in all six countries support the principle of gender equality, there are significant differences between men and women on this issue. The most striking gender gap is in Jordan, where 82% of women but just 44% of men say women should have the same rights as men.

Moreover, while there is majority support for the idea of gender equality, this does not necessarily apply to specific aspects of public and private life. For instance, at least half in Tunisia, Pakistan, Turkey and Jordan say men make better political leaders. When it comes to economics, most say women should be able to work outside the home, but most also believe that when jobs are scarce, jobs for men should be the first priority. And in the personal realm, many of those surveyed believe a woman’s family should help choose her husband, rather than the woman herself – indeed, in Pakistan and Jordan this is the majority view.

Limited Support for Extremist Groups

Extremist groups are largely rejected in predominantly Muslim nations, although significant numbers do express support for radical groups in several countries. For instance, while there is no country in which a majority holds a favorable opinion of the Palestinian organization Hamas, it receives considerable support in Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt.

The militant Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah receives its highest overall ratings in Tunisia, where nearly half express a positive opinion. Sizable minorities in both Jordan and Egypt also have a favorable view, but Hezbollah’s image has been declining in both countries in recent years. In its home country, views about Hezbollah are sharply divided along sectarian lines: 94% of Shia, 33% of Christians, and 5% of Sunnis give the group favorable marks.

Across all six nations, less than 20% have a positive opinion about al Qaeda or the Taliban. In Turkey and Lebanon, support for these groups is in the single digits. However, fully 19% of Egyptians rate these extremist organizations favorably.

Turkey and Erdogan Popular

Turkey, which has significantly increased its diplomatic profile in recent years, particularly in the Middle East, is held in high regard in the predominantly Muslim nations surveyed. Solid majorities in all six nations express a favorable opinion of Turkey. Moreover, its leader, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the moderate Islamist party AKP, also receives largely positive reviews.

Most of those surveyed believe Turkey favors democracy in the Middle East, including roughly three-in-four in the newly democratic nations of Egypt and Tunisia. Fewer say this about Saudi Arabia, although more than half in Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan think the oil-rich kingdom does support democracy in the region.

Yet, relatively few believe the United States wants democracy in the Middle East, including just 37% in Egypt, a major recipient of American democracy promotion funds in recent years. Exceedingly few think Israel favors democracy in the Middle East – just 10% or less in all six nations hold this view.

Tunisians Unhappy With State of Country, but Still Hopeful

Nearly eight-in-ten Tunisians (78%) are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country and a similar number (83%) describe current economic conditions as bad. And the country is split over whether it is better off now that Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is no long in power.


However, Tunisians show few signs of wanting a return to autocracy. A majority says a democratic government is preferable, even if that means some risk of instability, and large majorities deem rights and institutions such as a fair judiciary, honest elections, and free speech very important.

And while they are glum about current conditions, they are hopeful about the future. Two-thirds (66%) are optimistic about Tunisia’s future, and 75% think the country’s economy will improve in the next 12 months.

The ruling Ennahda party gets largely positive reviews – 65% have a favorable opinion of the Islamist organization, which was banned from politics during the Ben Ali era. Two Ennahda leaders, party co-founder Rached Ghannouchi and current Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, are viewed favorably by about two-in-three Tunisians.

The U.S. receives mixed reviews in Tunisia. Overall, 45% have a favorable and 45% an unfavorable view of the U.S. However, President Barack Obama gets mostly poor marks – 57% say they have little or no confidence that Obama will do the right thing in world affairs. And there is no consensus among Tunisians about how the U.S. has handled the political changes taking place in their country – 31% believe the American response has had a positive effect, 27% say it has been negative, and 25% volunteer that the U.S. has had no impact.

Also of Note

- While few in Tunisia and Egypt describe the current economy as good, there is optimism about the future – 75% of Tunisians and 50% of Egyptians believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months.

- On balance, opinions about Iran are negative, although Pakistan is a clear exception – 76% of Pakistanis have a favorable view of Iran, and 47% rate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad positively.

- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad generally receives very negative ratings across the nations included in the survey.

Dipetik dari - Pew Global Attitudes Project

BRUNEI dan pencapaian Millennium Development Goals

Brunei attains almost all MDGs: minister
By Siti Hajar

A little over a decade ago, almost 200 countries joined forces and agreed upon a set path to overcome the most distressing issue that many nations are facing: poverty. The realisation to address this agenda brought with it what is now known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are hoped to be fulfilled by the year 2015 through quantified goals and targets.

Being a blessed country with resources that can provide for all, Brunei Darussalam, a signatory to the MDGs has been considered very fortunate, and this is reflected in the achievements that have been made in actualising a significant majority of the MDGs with commendable efforts from the various government ministries responsible for the welfare of the country's people.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah stated this during an event marking Universal Children's Day, yesterday, at the Dewan Muhibbah of the Brunei-Muara District Office in Berakas.

The minister in his opening speech said that the Abode of Peace "has achieved almost all of the Millennium Development Goals" that have prioritised children and their rights to life, health, education and shelter, which he considers as "the main agendas". He emphasised that securing the future for the country's children is part-and-parcel of efforts to ensure sustainable development.

"Helping children reach their full potential also means investing in the very progress of humanity, for it is in the crucial first years that interventions make the biggest difference in a child's physical, intellectual and emotional development," he said. "And investing in children means achieving development goals faster, as children constitute a large percentage of the world's poor."

Alleviating millions out of poverty would mean tackling the concern at its grassroots level and the 189 countries agreed to sign the United Nations Millennium Declaration in September of 2000, which dictated eight Goals that could potentially improve the living standards of scores around the world and such goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and developing global partnerships for development.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) explains that though the Goals are for all humankind, the biggest beneficiaries once the MDGs are met will be next sets of generations as six of the eight Goals are targeted for the future of children regardless of creed, race, gender, age or social standing. Meeting the goals, says UNICEF, "is most critical for children" because children "are most vulnerable when people lack essentials (such as) food, water, sanitation and healthcare. They are the first to die when basic needs are not met".

Outlining the Sultanate's progress in meeting the MDGs that are in direct relation to children, Pehin Dato Hj Hazair stated that there has been a reduction in the country's infant mortality rate from 10.3 for every 1,000 births in the year 2000 to 6.1 in 2010; that 95 per cent of children in the country have been vaccinated against communicable diseases; and that 99 per cent of Brunei's children have had the opportunity to attend primary school. The rate of literacy among children stood at 96.4 per cent in 2009.

When considering the amenities, facilities and provisions that are being given to children in Brunei in comparison with other developing countries whose governments are finding it challenging to overcome obstacles that are compromising the welfare of their younger generation, Brunei's children, said the minister, "should be made aware of how fortunate they are", as the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam constantly provides attention to their general wellbeing even before birth, through medical healthcare for pregnant mothers through to their age of maturity in terms of virtually free education.

Families living with financial difficulties, said Pehin Dato Hj Hazair, are also being taken care of as the government through the Community Development Department under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports ensures adequate finances to meet their educational needs through the government's allowance programmes.

"The government's effort is to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to acquire education to be able to become the country's future leaders," he said.

Complementary to the incentives that have been put in place, the government also takes into account the legal aspects surrounding the threats faced by children, including the Women and Girls Protection Act, Children and Young Persons Order 2006, Islamic Family Order 1999, Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Act and the Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order 2004 as means "to protect children from various forms of violence, mistreatment and exploitation".

Universal Children's Day was the product of the General Assembly's recommendation on December 14, 1954 by Resolution 836(IX) for all countries to institute a Universal Children's Day to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. The resolution recommended that the day to be observed as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideas and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.

November 20 was then pegged as the day to celebrate the world's children, as it marked the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin Online, Rabu, November 23, 2011