Press Statement: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Moral Policing: A Virtue or a Violation?
KRYSS Network’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign
28th November 2024
Every year, KRYSS Network participates in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs from 25th November to 10th December. Our campaigns focus on amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and highlighting issues that often go unnoticed.
This year, our theme is Moral Policing, spotlighting the various forms of surveillance and control imposed on individuals—especially women, girls, and gender-non-conforming people—by both those in authority and their peers. Moral Policing can be broadly defined as acts by individuals or institutions that force others to conform to dominant cultural or religious beliefs. This campaign aims to raise awareness about how Moral Policing negatively impacts privacy, bodily autonomy, and human rights in Malaysia.
Rising Cases of Moral Policing in Malaysia
Recent incidents reflect a troubling trend:
- A woman was denied entry into a police station for allegedly breaching the fifth principle of Rukun Negara—courtesy and morality—due to her attire (short pants) [source].
- During the Olympics, female athletes were subjected to online harassment for wearing “non-shariah compliant” official sports attire.
- Terengganu’s government banned women from participating in gymnastics, leading some athletes to retire [source].
These examples demonstrate that Moral Policing disproportionately targets women and gender-diverse individuals, enforcing rigid societal norms at the expense of personal freedoms.
Campaign Content
To delve deeper into Moral Policing, KRYSS Network will be releasing:
- Infographics on:
- Female Athlete Attire in Sports – Unpacking sexist expectations placed on women athletes.
- Social Media Spot Checks & Student Intimidation – Stories from the Tiada Guru Campaign about surveillance in educational settings.
- Period Spot Checks & Privacy – Addressing privacy violations and trust issues in schools.
- A video interview discussing these issues in detail.
#SuarakanCeritakan
Our content will launch on 2nd December across social media. We encourage everyone to use the hashtag #SuarakanCeritakan to share their experiences and drive conversations about Moral Policing.
Share Your Story Anonymously
We understand that sharing personal stories can be difficult. To support this, KRYSS Network is providing a space on NGL (linked through our social media) where people can anonymously submit stories. These contributions will be featured during the campaign and included in future advocacy materials.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Join us in speaking out against Moral Policing and advocating for a safer, more inclusive Malaysia.
About KRYSS Network
KRYSS Network is a nonprofit organisation envisioning a world where everyone can fully exercise their freedom of opinion and expression, public participation, and bodily autonomy—rooted in gender equality and non-discrimination.
#SuarakanCeritakan