KAMY initiated a physical sharing session on gender-climate initiatives on 27/8/2020. Four groups including us were present;
1) IWRAW Asia Pacific ( Marissa )
2) EMPOWER (Amanda)
3) ARROW ( Prakriti and Deepa)
This sharing session focuses on the gender-climate intersections in the national, regional and international context, with the objective to connect with each other, chart where our work intersects, and possibly map the way forward for this critical intersection often overlook in climate policy intervention in Malaysia.
The meeting was fruitful, we discussed on how to strengthen the learning process, data collection & documentation, resource sharing, and capacity building for women's group and communities to understand how their work is linked to climate; present and future. We also stressed that there is a need to find the grounding principle that will be the basis of this collaboration.
As a young organization led by youth that advocates for climate justice and its intersectionality, KAMY believed that the feminist principle is a critical element to bring about radical transformation of the society. Feminist ideas and its progressive perspectives must overturn the gender injustices and inequality internalized in the Malaysian narrative of development.
Another issue that was brought up was the Covid19 disaster respond by the government that has failed to reflect the various needs of communities and exacerbates the inequality faced by women (young and old) during a disaster like the pandemic. KAMY gave consultation to Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA) through the head director Dr Juli Edo on the need to include sanitation pad, baby formula, and disabled (OKU) needs in the aid given out by the government agencies. This was brought to our attention during the enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Langat on 29/3/2020 when 2 Orang Asli villages were quarantined. Another disparity we saw are most indigenous women don't have the same access to banking facilities as men, in the form of owning a bank account. This is problematic to access disaster funds given out from government.
We also have since then work collaboratively with JAKOA and other NGOs to include these items in our disaster respond aid to Kampung Orang Asli in Johor and Pahang.
With all being said, the first activity will roll in by September or early October 2020 in the most adaptable form; webinars.
We hope this collective will bring much change to the climate landscape in Malaysi
Read more about MisiBantuOA https://www.klimaactionmalaysia.org/misibantuoa
Klima Action Malaysia