First East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

By

Her Royal Highness Princess Masna

Ambassador-at-Large
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Brunei Darusalam
30 June 2006

Thank you, Madame Chairperson...and thank you for the warm welcome and hospitality we have received.

I would also like to express my appreciation for your excellent keynote address and my admiration for your commitment in promoting gender equality in our region. We have also heard some inspiring words from Dr. Kim Hak-Su this morning and I much appreciate the encouragement he has given us.

Madame Chairperson and distinguished Colleagues,

It is widely accepted that increasing gender equalities help foster development. We also acknowledge that economic growth and development provide broad opportunities for women and hence, contribute towards improving gender equality. According to our provisional statistics of 2005, women make up 47% of our population and about 59% of them are economically active. With about 40% of the employed population comprising women who work for pay, profit or family gain, Brunei Darussalam fully acknowledges their important role in the socio-economic development of the country. The Government of His Majesty in collaboration with the private sector is making continuous efforts in the pursuit of a better quality of life for all Bruneians regardless of race, creed or gender.

Providing universal access to education has been a fundamental objective of our national policy. Over 90% of girls are literate and numerate and, in fact, girls significantly outnumber boys in tertiary education. They also enjoy equal benefits such as monthly transport and educational allowances in vocational and tertiary levels. Women’s educational achievement has enabled them to take up employment opportunities in various specialized professions. An increasing number of them are holding senior positions and also involved in policy and decision-making.

In Brunei Darussalam, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute 92% of the employment opportunities in the private sector and more than half of them are owned by women. Moreover, the annual growth rate of economically active women is double the growth of the female population of working ages. Supportive measures by the Government include the financial assistance schemes through commercial banks. They are the Enterprise Facilitation Scheme, the Micro-Credit Financing Scheme and the Working Capital Credit Fund and nearly two-thirds of the beneficiaries of the Scheme are women.

Our private sector also provides entrepreneurship development programmes, such as the Live Wire Brunei launched in 2001 by the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, targeting those between the ages of 18 and 30 years. To promote the development of women’s businesses and to coordinate activities like seminars, workshops, trade fairs, business matching and global networking, the Brunei Women Business Council was established in the year 2000.

Our mass media, in fact, has played a major role in promoting and increasing awareness on the effective involvement of women in the country’s development and the impact they have on modern economic life. Our women in Brunei Darussalam have equal opportunities to land and housing ownership. It is our national long-term goal that every individual, regardless of gender, will have proper accommodation and all citizens to have their own houses. Affordable and equal access to healthcare is highly emphasized and has led to women achieving life expectancy of 77.5 years and a maternal mortality rate of 0.3 per thousand live births. I am pleased our Government’s continuous efforts have placed our country in the thirty-third position out of 177 nations on the latest UNDP’s Human Development Index.

Madame Chairperson,

Institutionally, the Department of Community Development in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is the focal agency for women’s affairs. Its functions range from protecting, counseling women and girls, providing welfare allowances and emergency relief. The Department’s programmes are strongly supported by other Government Agencies and the private sector. The Department is also strongly supported by the Women’s Council of Brunei Darussalam which is a non-governmental organization affiliated to the ASEAN Council of Women’s Organisations.

On the international front, Brunei Darussalam is a signatory to the United Nations Millennium Declaration and I am pleased that we have achieved almost all of the Millennium Development Goals. We have also acceded into the Convention on the Elimination of All Discriminations against Women and committed to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and other regional and international declarations on gender issues. Domestically, we have several legislations in place aimed at protecting women and girls against sexual exploitation, trafficking, abuse and violence. The National Registration and Immigration Act allows children of women citizens married to foreign nationals to be accorded Brunei citizenship upon application.

Madame Chairperson,

An area of concern to us is a rise in social problems, among which has been an increase in domestic violence and abuse against women. This would demand more work on our National Committee for Handling Social Issues, set up in the year 2000. This Committee has implemented programmes which among others, include protection and rehabilitation of women and girls; public awareness campaigns on family harmony; and counseling services. Another legal provision called the Domestic Violence Order is currently being drafted to ensure that women and children are protected. I would now like to emphasize on the collection of quality data. Our 2001 Population Census and the 2002 Economic Census have a substantial collection of sex-disaggregated data. However, we do need to continuously make more efforts in acquiring up-to-date data and adequate indicators. Data is vital for any study to be made as well as to reflect the status of women’s contribution to the country’s development. I also see the need to conduct more research and analysis on gender issues in Brunei Darussalam to allow for more effective policy formulation. This is an area where we require building our capacities.

Madame Chairperson,

Each society has its own particular strengths and weaknesses. What is common to us all, however, is the universal condition of women and our commitment should be to ensure an improvement in the quality of their life and the elimination of discrimination and inequity. This is where I see the importance of gatherings such as this, especially in a room here called, ”Harmony”. It augurs well for a conducive environment for us all to join hand harmoniously to further promote regional efforts and implement best practices to bring about gender equality and women empowerment. It is indeed a positive first step for us the East Asian nations to move forward collectively to ensure that our goals and objectives are achieved.

Thank you.

Source: www.wunrn.com

Women In Brunei: Women in Development

Women In Brunei: Women in Development

Women in Development

Some or 159,300 or 47% of the total population in 2000 were women. With equal opportunities and incentives, women can similarly play important role in the socio-economic national development wherein up to 63% of the total women in 2000 were contributor to the labour force.

The women LFPR increased from 45% in 1995 to 55% in 2000. The number of women involved in various sectors or employment including the security and armed forces have increased significantly. However, the total number of women working in the agricultural sector declined from 957 in 1996 to 562 in 2000. The 1996 statistics showed that 7.2% of women were employed in the professional area, 14.3% in the technical area and 2.3% in the public sector's administrative area. Besides that, the number of women working in the public sector holding senior positions were also on the rise. At the same time, the number of women proprietors and employees in the private sector also continue to increase.

Between 1996 to 2000, women involvement in higher education increased by 67%. The total number of local women graduating in various professional areas such as in medicine, law, architecture, engineering and others increased five-fold during the same period. Local women in the teaching profession increased by 59% whilde in nursing increased by almost three-fold. The local women literacy rate during the same period increased from 73% to 90% indicating that they have become more educated.

The participation of women in voluntary organisations are becoming more prominent, either at local, regional or international level. The Women Council of Brunei Darussalam has successfully organised several awareness programmes through seminars, courses, talks and goodwill meetings, signifying their concern for progress and development.

Although more women these days are actively involved in their careers, businesses and in voluntary organisations, their responsibilities to their families remain paramount.

Women in Brunei Darussalam will continue to be given equal opportunities in all aspects of life including in education, employment and business. The fundamental role of women for solidarity and harmony of the family and the country will continue to be emphasised. Besides encouraging women to be active in outside home activities, programmes involving family members including the establishment of child-care centres at work places or in special areas are encouraged to preserve and nurture the strong family values. The country and the community place high expectations on women to strengthen family ties for their social contributions through government bodies or voluntary organisations.


Source: Eight National Development Plan 2001-2005, Government of Brunei Darussalam

Women's Rights Situation in Brunei

The extent to which spousal abuse may occur and go unreported is not known. In response to a perception that domestic violence was rising, in 1994 a special unit was established within the police department to investigate domestic violence complaints. Female officers staff the unit. Since 1995 a hot line has been in service for abused spouses and the public to report domestic violence. During 1999 approximately 10 women and their children stayed at a women's shelter run by the Social Affairs Services unit of the Ministry of Culture. The Social Affairs Services unit provides counseling for women and their spouses. In August 1999, a photograph of a man accused of stabbing his wife and assaulting one of his children was published in a daily newspaper, a new development in the country, where privacy generally is guarded closely. While Islamic courts usually discourage divorce in domestic violence cases, there appears to be a movement away from encouraging wives to reconcile with flagrantly abusive spouses. Islamic religious authorities recognize wife beating as grounds for divorce.

In 1999 the police recorded 91 cases of domestic abuse compared with 72 in 1998. The police also recorded 10 cases of rape and 10 molestations. The criminal penalty for a minor domestic assault is 1 to 2 weeks in jail and a fine. An assault resulting in serious injury would be punished by caning and a longer jail sentence. In September two members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment and three strokes of the cane for the attempted molestation and sodomy of a 20-year-old deaf girl. In October 1999, a man convicted of assaulting his former wife with a knife and a piece of wood on three separate occasions, received three concurrent sentences of 2 years and 6 months in prison and three strokes of the cane. He also received a 6-month prison sentence for assaulting his 7-year-old daughter. Also in 1999, a man impersonating a religious inspector who raped and extorted money from a woman he found in a compromising situation with her boyfriend was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 6 strokes of the cane.

One area of apparent abuse involves female domestic servants. While the level of violence in society is low, beating of servants--or refusing them the right to leave the house on days off, sometimes on grounds that they "might encounter the wrong company"--is less socially unacceptable behavior. Since most female domestics are foreign workers who are highly dependent on their employers, those subject to abuse may be unwilling or unable to bring complaints, either to the authorities or to their governments' embassies. However, when such complaints are brought, the Government generally is quick to investigate allegations of abuse and impose fines and punishment as warranted.

In accordance with Koranic precepts, women are denied equal status with men in a number of important areas such as divorce, inheritance, and custody of children. Under the Brunei Nationality Act, citizenship is transmitted through males only. Female citizens who are married to foreigners or bear children by foreign fathers cannot transmit citizenship to their children, even when such children are born in the country. This has resulted in the creation of a sizable population of stateless children, estimated at more than 5,000 residents, who are entitled to live in the country and to be documented for travel by the Government, but who cannot enjoy the full privileges of citizenship, including the right to own land.

Although men are eligible for permanent positions in government service whether or not they hold university degrees, women who do not have university degrees are eligible to hold government positions only on a month-to-month basis. While recent changes eliminated some previous inequities, women in month-to-month positions continue to receive slightly less annual leave and fewer allowances than their male and female counterparts in permanent positions.

There are no separate pay scales for men and women, and in recent years there has been a major influx of women into the work force. Women serve in a wide variety of capacities in the armed forces, although they are not permitted to serve in combat. The number of female university graduates is increasing, and nearly two-thirds of Brunei University's entering class is female.

Religious authorities strongly encourage Muslim women to wear the tudong, a traditional head covering, and many women do so. However, some Muslim women do not, and there is no official pressure on non-Muslim women to do so. All female students in government-operated schools are required to wear the tudong; students in nongovernment schools are encouraged to wear it.

In July 1999, a new Married Women's Law came into effect, improving significantly the rights of non-Muslim married women with respect to maintenance, property, and domestic violence. In November 1999, changes to the Islamic Family Law (in the section on Women's Position in Marriage and Divorce) came into effect and are expected to improve the marital rights of Muslim women.

Source: www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/eap/index.cfm?docid=675

Women In Brunei Darussalam: A Brief Insight

Women in Brunei In accordance with Koranic precepts, women are denied equal status with men in a number of important areas such as divorce, inheritance, and custody of children. Under the Brunei Nationality Act, citizenship is transmitted through males only. Female citizens who are married to foreigners or bear children by foreign fathers cannot transmit citizenship to their children, even when such children are born in the country. This has resulted in the creation of a sizable population of stateless children, estimated at more than 5,000 residents, who are entitled to live in the country and to be documented for travel by the Government, but who cannot enjoy the full privileges of citizenship, including the right to own land.

Although men are eligible for permanent positions in government service whether or not they hold university degrees, women who do not have university degrees are eligible to hold government positions only on a month-to-month basis. While recent changes eliminated some previous inequities, women in month-to-month positions continue to receive slightly less annual leave and fewer allowances than their male and female counterparts in permanent positions.

There are no separate pay scales for men and women, and in recent years there has been a major influx of women into the work force. Women serve in a wide variety of capacities in the armed forces, although they are not permitted to serve in combat. The number of female university graduates is increasing, and nearly two-thirds of Brunei University's entering class is female.

Religious authorities strongly encourage Muslim women to wear the tudong, a traditional head covering, and many women do so. However, some Muslim women do not, and there is no official pressure on non-Muslim women to do so. All female students in government-operated schools are required to wear the tudong; students in non-government schools are encouraged to wear it.

In July 1999, a new Married Women's Law came into effect, improving significantly the rights of non-Muslim married women with respect to maintenance, property, and domestic violence. In November 1999, changes to the Islamic Family Law (in the section on Women's Position in Marriage and Divorce) came into effect and are expected to improve the marital rights of Muslim women.

Source: www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org

Overview of Brunei Darussalam

From the 14th to the 16th centuries Brunei Darussalam was the seat of a powerful sultanate extending over Sabah, Sarawak and the lower Philippines. Thus, the current Sultan represents one of the oldest continuously ruling dynasties in the world. By the 19th century, the Brunei Darussalam Empire had been whittled away by wars, piracy and the colonial expansion of European powers. In 1847, the sultan concluded a treaty with Great Britain and in 1888 Brunei Darussalam officially became a British protectorate. On January 1, 1984 Brunei Darussalam resumed full independence and the Sultan took office as Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Home Affairs Minister, presiding over a cabinet of six.

The population of Brunei Darussalam in mid-year 1999, is estimated at 330,700 persons, an increase of 7,600 persons or growing at 2.4% over the mid year population estimate 1998. Of the said total, 175,200 (53.0%) are males and 155,500 (47.0%) females.

This estimate includes all people residing in Brunei Darussalam. Malay, which also included Brunei Indigenous communities of Malay, Kedayan, Tutong, Belait, Bisaya, Dusun and Murut, constitutes the major population group numbering at 223,500 (67.6%). Other Indigenous group namely Iban, Dayak and Kelabit accounts for 19,600 persons (5.9%), Chinese at 49,300 persons (14.9%) and Other races not specified at 38,300 persons (11.6%).

Brunei Darussalam is still very much dependent on revenues from crude oil and natural gas to finance its development programmes. Aside from this, Brunei Darussalam also receives income from rents, royalties, corporate tax and dividends. Due to the non-renewable nature of oil and gas, economic diversification has been in Brunei Darussalam's national development agenda. In the current Seventh national Development Plan, 1996-2000, the government has allocated more than $7.2 billion for the implementation of various projects and programmes.Brunei Darussalam is the third largest oil producer in Southeast Asia and it produced 163,000 barrels per day. It is also the fourth largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world.

The country's official name is Negara Brunei Darussalam. The reigning monarch is Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah.

Source: www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org