EQUAL SHARING OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MEN, WOMEN

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- International communities should
reinforce the idea of equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men,
including in the context of HIV and AIDS caregiving.

In making the call, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dr Ng
Yen Yen said the idea was important to translate the notion of equal
sharing into something tangible.

"It is linked to the overall national development of any country, from roles
at the basic societal structure as encompassed in the family, to the larger
community structures and leading to political decision-making," she said.

Dr Ng was delivering her speech on 'The Equal Sharing of Responsibilities
Between Women and Men Including Caregiving In the Context of HIV and Aids' at
the 53rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York today.

Her speech at the high-level roundtable session was made available here.

Dr Ng said gender stereotypes continued to remain real barriers to the
notion of equal sharing and the overall goal of the advancement of women.

"We have found that even the most advanced, open and liberal countries are
adverse to discussing this issue, just as much as the countries that may be
deemed more conservative.

"We understand that discussing stereotypes does lead to other discussions
which touch on traditional or cultural values," she said.

Dr Ng added that such situations were difficult for policy-makers and even
more so to implement.

"Even in my own country, chipping away long-held biases and ways of thinking
require strenuous efforts.

"But the outcome is worthwhile and the international community should not
shirk from this," she said.

She said men and women must be equally responsible to ensure safe sex,
adding that gender awareness programmes must emphasise men's involvement in
shouldering their responsibility in caregiving.
-- BERNAMA