A Feminist Critique of Domestic Violence Laws in Singapore and Malaysia

Kumaralingam Amirthalingam
 

Domestic violence against women has been on the global agenda since the 1970s but the problem has continued to escalate.  Singapore and Malaysia have in the last decade enacted specific laws to deal with domestic violence, and while these laws have had some measure of success, further reform is required.  This paper highlights the importance of using a feminist approach to provide an alternative narrative of the problem and to create different solutions.  The paper examines some of the theoretical analyses of domestic violence and draws on international human rights discourse to supplement domestic developments.  The tension between cultural norms and international norms is considered and it is suggested that are certain universal norms that need to be championed – in this case the right of women to be free from domestic violence.

Keywords: domestic violence, feminism, women’s rights, human rights, cultural relativism, international law, Asian values, criminal law, criminal justice, Malaysia, Singapore.
 

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