ANGKATAN Wanita AMANAH Negara (AWAN) is drafting a new bill that would require political parties to nominate a minimum of 30 per cent female candidates in elections, in an effort to advance gender representation nearly three decades after similar policies were first proposed.
AWAN chief Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the initiative is being developed in collaboration with several non-governmental organisations and will be presented to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on 11 November.
“We do not just need opportunities or space, but also an ecosystem,” she said. “We are working with several NGOs to propose an amendment or a new bill that provides women in political parties the room to advance themselves and nominate more than 30 per cent candidates.”
Aiman highlighted that in the 15th General Election, AMANAH fielded 26 per cent women candidates, including in state assembly contests, the highest among coalition component parties.
Speaking after attending the AWAN National Convention 2025, she outlined that the proposed bill would encompass three main components: policy measures, a binding law for political parties, and incentive schemes for parties that achieve the target quota.
The party aims to increase female participation to 50 per cent by the 16th General Election, in line with this year’s convention theme, “Women of the Nation as Agents of Change.”
Aiman expressed confidence that the new law would reshape Malaysia’s political landscape and strengthen the ecosystem for women’s leadership.
AMANAH has also set a target of producing 1,000 women leaders by 2035 through intensive community-based training programmes.
Deputy President Datuk Mahfuz Omar said this initiative is crucial for ensuring women not only lead within the party but also act as community spokespersons and policymakers.
“The Agenda 2035 involves training women over the next ten years to achieve a target of 1,000 capable spokespersons and community leaders,” he said.
“It is not enough for them to be leaders at the grassroots level; they also need to be active in the community and know how to intervene and play a role at societal levels.”
Mahfuz added that the long-term training programme is key to developing competent and independent women leaders, capable of policymaking at local, state, and national levels, helping to break male political dominance.
He also emphasised the importance of economic development for AMANAH women, particularly small entrepreneurs, who should take advantage of government opportunities rather than seeking rewards alone. - November 7, 2025
