Panel Discussion on ‘Mapping the impact of religious discrimination on women and youth’ on the sidelines of the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council
On 11 July 2023, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN in Geneva organised a panel discussion on ‘Mapping the Impact of Religious Discrimination on Women and Youth’, in Room XXIV, Palais des Nations, on the sidelines of the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council. The side event was co-sponsored by the OIC Group in Geneva.
The objective of the panel discussion was to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of religious discrimination on women and youth and the unique challenges they encounter due to this form of prejudice. The panel delved into how various aspects of identity intersect and compound the discrimination experienced.
The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Nassima Baghli, Ambassador/Permanent Observer of the OIC Mission in Geneva, and involved five panelists: (i) Ms. Tehmina Janjua, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan; (ii) Associate Prof. Dr. Surinderpal Kaul, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, Malaysia; (iii) H.E. Mr. Hakan Kivanç, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Republic of Türkiye; (iv) Ms. Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls; and (v) Associate Prof. Dr. Enes Bayrakli, Co-Editor of the European Islamophobia Report.
The panelists presented their perspectives on the far-reaching consequences of religious discrimination, with a particular focus on the distressing effects of anti-Muslim hatred on women and youth, who frequently bear the brunt of vulnerability. In response to this troubling pattern, the panelists offered a range of insightful recommendations. These included enhancing the collection and analysis of data on Islamophobia, fostering awareness by actively engaging with Muslim women and youth, and empowering them in the spheres of politics and decision-making. The panelists emphasised the critical importance of adopting an intersectional approach to tackle the underlying roots of religious intolerance.
The panel discussion exemplifies Malaysia's proactive initiative in shedding light on the escalating trend of Islamophobia and its profound impact on human rights. This initiative aligns with Malaysia's commitment as a member of the Human Rights Council (2022-2024), which is to empower women and youth.
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