The roundtable discussion entitled “#InvestInWomen – Inclusivity and Empowerment in the Digital Space” was organized by the Communication and Multimedia Content Forum and the Coalition of Women’s Organizations of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, among others. It turned out to be a very interactive and vibrant roundtable.
Parallel to the International Women’s Day 2024 theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (Content Forum) and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Women Coalition of Women Organization (KLSCWO) co-organized a panel discussion under the theme “#InvestInWomen: Inclusivity and Empowerment in the Digital Space.” The session drew a turnout of more than 100 people at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre to deliberate key issues and opportunities relevant to the experience of females in this virtual world.
Championing Gender Equality in the Digital Landscape
The keynote speaker, YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communication, reminded the audience of the miles yet to be covered towards achieving gender equality in cyberspace. She spoke of the strides women were making in the field but also noted that harassment and abuse online were still major issues plaguing the world today.
Speaking during the launching of the community page, YB Teo said, “While celebrating the remarkable strides made by women in the digital realm, it’s imperative to recognise that our journey is not devoid of challenges. Online harassment and abuse remain significant hurdles that demand our collective attention.” She urged the community to take part and practice self-regulation in reporting online abuse to the relevant authorities. “Building awareness and resilience within our communities is crucial, as it not only safeguards women against scams but also empowers us to engage in the digital economy and harness its opportunities fully. I am confident that through continued collaboration with organisations like the Content Forum, we can work together to create a safer and more inclusive digital space.”
This is something that the CEO of Content Forum, Mediha Mahmood, also re-emphasized. She said, “From our work here at the Content Forum, we bear witness that online harassment, threats and hate speech plague far too many women. And now we have the challenges raised by AI, where women’s images can be digitally manipulated and abused without consent – contributing to an existing culture of objectification and exploitation. We are committed to working together to address these challenges head-on and instigating long-lasting change for the better.”
Bridging the Gender Gap and Empowering Women
Aireen discussed the effects of technology on society, especially in relation to the problem of exclusion, in her introductory speech. Finding qualified people to lead digital change is challenging, she said, and closing the gender gap in STEM is an urgent matter. In order to stop marginalisation and make sure that everyone can grow in society, she said, it’s crucial to match education with what the contemporary industry needs.
Maria continued the discussion of diversity by stressing the need of learning about the prejudice women endure. In order to overcome obstacles, particularly in the digital realm and the employment market, she emphasised that women must have access to social security, knowledge, skills, and resources. She underlined the need of government, corporate, and community assistance in equipping women with the self-assurance to make effective use of technology like smartphone applications.
Creating Safer Digital Environments
The topic of technology-facilitated violence against women (TFGBV) was addressed by one of the presenters, Tehnima, who spent some time on the subject. The hypersexualization of women, pushed by AI that may produce media, and biassed algorithms are just a few of the dangers she highlighted that women face in online media. The struggle for female diversity in computers and other male-dominated industries cannot be won without accurate media, as Tehnima emphasised.
Bringing attention to the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in online, Serene voiced comparable concerns in her speech. She brought up the point that this issue in Malaysia has some vague definitions and inadequate statistics. Efforts must be made promptly to address gender-based violence and its impact on women’s rights, asserts Serene. Also highlighted by her was the pervasive fear and anxiety among women that permeates online spaces, leading many to withdraw entirely. These results demonstrate the need of collaboration between all stakeholders in the fight against cyberbullying and for a safer online environment for all users.
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Following the panel discussion, there was an interactive session where the audience may share their thoughts on the gender and women-related legislation in the Content Code 2022. This discourse aimed to promote clarity and highlight opportunities for development; its ultimate objective was to build a better and more inclusive content ecosystem for the future.
Dr Kiranjit Kaur concluded that KLSCWO is a very dedicated organization when it comes to the empowerment of women through education and knowledge. She said, “Through our concerted efforts, we want to prioritise enhancing women’s livelihoods and economic empowerment through education and knowledge. We stand wholeheartedly behind initiatives fostering gender equality and digital literacy in Malaysia, recognising this event as a pivotal step towards empowering women and propelling us towards a more equitable and sustainable future.”
