Do We Need Women-Only Spaces in Malaysia?

But she also notes the increase in these crimes—a statement backed up by the 2020 National Survey and Roundtable Report on Addressing Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces in Malaysia, in which 58.6 per cent of men and women reported that they experienced sexual harassment in public spaces, including trains, buses, parking lots and more. 

How can this be the case if women-only carriages have been implemented for more than 10 years? An early 2013 study by professors at International Islamic University Malaysia outlines the limitations of this practise, crucially, the lack of enforcement. One of the big issues that emerged involved men generally disobeying signage and proceeding to enter women-only carriages, even going as far as to ignore requests from passengers or staff to alight these spaces.

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To contextualise this study, there are limited provisions in the Malaysian Penal Code which criminalises behaviour which generally constitutes sexual harassment, including molestation, outrage on decency and words and gestures insulting to modesty. However, the legal definition of sexual harassment can be found under part XVA of the Employment Act 1955, which only refers to workplace harassment, with no mention of public spaces. 

A third reading of the proposed Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 is expected to be held during the next parliamentary reading between July 18 and August 4. But activist groups have launched a campaign to urge those involved to review the bill and more thoroughly address concerns before passing it as law.

Without any fixtures in place to provide adequate reporting and legal redress or to act as a deterrent, Visvanathan's mission to raise awareness on 'cultures of violence in Malaysia' is particularly powerful. "Everyone has a right to safely exist in public spaces, regardless of gender or identity. Efforts to educate the public on gender equality, sexual and gender-based violence, autonomy, and consent must be bolstered," she says.

In the case study of public transportation, it would seem these gender-segregated carriages have not made a significant difference in protecting women from sexual harassment and abuse—especially with the lack of institutional support. However, the concept of women-only spaces has not been written off completely in Malaysia. 

In recent years, women-only businesses have emerged in the Klang Valley which show that the idea can work when applied on a smaller scale, as businesses are empowered to more effectively enforce their own policies. In fact, two of these establishments—KOA Fitness and Powder Room—have not encountered any untoward incidences. 

"Of course, we have received comments from men, especially those who want to enter the store with their partner. It's normal to be resistant to a new concept," says co-founder of Powder Room, Jacqueline Ng.

"But the reality is that unfortunate things can happen to women and children," she adds, sharing an horrifying experience of a flasher at one of Big Bad Wolf's 24-hour sales. "That is why we are committed to creating a safe and comfortable space for women, where they don't need to worry about anything, even entertaining unwanted attention—it's a burden off their minds." 

"We had an opportunity to do something a little different with Powder Room. When we were offered the lot, which was only 2,000 sq ft, it was not suitable to be a typical BookXcess bookstore," says co-founder Jacqueline Ng, giving some background to Powder Room's beginnings. 

"We wanted a create a unique space to showcase a curated selection of books to empower women and children and highlight female authors," she says. "We stock powerful titles that show the power of women's voices, including Michelle Obama's biography Becoming and Yvette Cooper's She Speaks: Women's Speeches That Changed the World. We also have self-help books, such as Power Up and That's What She Said, which are about navigating the business world, gaining financial independence and more."

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"Speaking from my experience as a woman, there are not a lot of places to enjoy me-time where you don't end up laying down at a spa or a facial. There is definitely a market for spaces where women can take time for themselves beyond the wellness industry and enjoy the freedom to browse books or read," she says. 

"It may not be commercially viable on a larger scale to cater only to the female demographic and 'turn away' others," she muses. "But the way we see it is that BookXcess has a total of sixteen stores in the Klang Valley, which go up to 30,000 sq ft and are more suitable for other patrons. This is just one focused store we have designed specifically for women to enjoy themselves."

Co-founder of KOA Fitness, a women-only gym in Mont Kiara, Marie Ng shares the bookstore owner's sentiments that there is a market for these kinds of spaces in Malaysia. 

In 2020, Marie and her business partner Nicholas Mak conducted an informal survey among friends and friends of friends: "The general consensus is that traditional gyms are intimidating for women."

The move was inspired by Marie's own experience of discomfort in commercial co-ed gyms. "I like to think that I'm social and a strong, independent woman," she prefaces. "The first time I went to the gym on my own, I approached the weights area. I remember waiting for my turn and receiving the funniest looks from these big, strong men, like I did not belong there. I was flustered and uncomfortable. I fumbled through my workout and just headed home."

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Today, KOA Fitness' clientele consists of women of all ages, race and sizes. "People may see it as putting a cap or limit on our potential income but when they speak to the women in their lives, they will understand just how much women appreciate these types of spaces and its importance in providing a non-judgmental experience of fitness."

There will always be a need for resources by women for women, concludes Marie. 

"The fitness industry, in particular, is rife with misinformation. Training as a woman can be very different as male trainers don't account for different phases in a woman's cycle and how that can affect everything, from strength and energy levels to diet," she continues.

At KOA Fitness, there are specific programmes tailored to women who are pregnant, menopausal or experiencing PCOS and endometriosis, with plans to help them achieve their specific goals. 

See also: Ili Sulaiman Opens Up About Her Journey with PCOS

All three women emphasise the importance of education in working towards a better Malaysia. There is value in holding spaces for women to speak freely and openly but there still needs to be progress in making sure that men and women can share communal spaces, such as public transportation, without risk of sexual harassment or abuse, says Visvanathan. 

"We must eradicate prejudicial mindsets underpinned by patriarchal notions of men having power over women's autonomies," she continues. 

In achieving that, women in Malaysia will be able to safely occupy public spaces—with the liberating choice to visit women-only spaces because they want to, not because they have to. 

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