WOMAN IN HISTORY: IRENE FERNANDEZ

Who are the women that played an important role in our history?

One of them is Irene Fernandez, (1946-2014) a Malaysian campaigner who fought for the rights of the poorest: migrant workers, farmworkers, domestic workers, prostitutes and people with HIV/AIDS. 

Despite harassment and intimidation, Fernandez courageously refused to limit her work or blunt her message, even when a prison sentence hung over her head.

Fighting for Human Rights

1946: Began her career as a high school teacher.

1970: Became a full-time organizer for young workers.

1973-1975:  Organized the first textile workers union and began programmes to create trade unions in the free trade zones. She also focused on the development of women leaders in the labor movement.

1976: Joined Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and worked on consumer education, launching consumer clubs for secondary school children to teach them about basic needs, safety and the protection of the environment.

1986: Led campaigns to stop violence against women. President of All Women’s Action Society for five years.

Founder of NGO Tenaganita in Kuala Lumpur

This organization established in 1991 campaigns for the rights of foreign workers, who are often lured into the country through a deliberate policy of the Malaysian government.

Tenaganita works to document these problems, but also runs a halfway house for prostitutes with HIV, and a number of other programmes relating to migrant and poor workers' health, education, awareness and human rights. It also works with organizations in neighboring countries to provide health, legal and pre-departure information for workers.

“We must change the rules of the global economy, for it is the logic of global capitalism that is the source of the disruption of society and of the environment.” - Irene Fernandez, 2005.

Irene Fernandez passed away on March 31, 

2014. Until these days. Irene Fernandez will remain as one of our heroes in the nations’ heart. Read more at https://tenaganita.net/our-story/

Reference:

1. Irene Fernandez - Right Livelihood. (2021, August 10). Right Livelihood. https://rightlivelihood.org/the-change-makers/find-a-laureate/irene-fernandez/

2. Suganya. (2021, March 8). Kickass Malaysian women from history we should all remember and look up to. RojakDaily. https://gempak.com/rojakdaily/lifestyle/kickass-malaysian-women-history-we-should-all-remember-and-look-66048