Women still trailing behind men in political empowerment: Rina

KUALA LUMPUR – The involvement of Malaysian women in political empowerment, especially regarding ministerial and parliamentary positions, still lags far behind that of men, Women Development, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said.

 According to Malaysia’s Gender Gap Index 2020, women’s score in political empowerment was the lowest, at only 0.1, compared with other sub-indexes.

“Similarly, the participation rate of women in the workforce is only 55.3%, less than the standard 60% for a developing nation,” she said in an interview in conjunction with the Women’s Day 2022 celebration recently.

On women’s participation as decision-makers, Rina said only 17.2% of board members of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia in the private sector are women.

“This issue needs to be addressed. Studies have shown that women’s participation in decision-making contributes to better organisational governance because they are able to inject diversity to ensure the needs of women in the field are taken into account.

“In the public sector, even though women’s participation exceeded the targeted 30%, it should not stop there,” he said.

As such, Rina said her ministry is committed to further increasing public awareness and understanding of the issue of inequality faced by Malaysian women through the Women’s Day 2022 celebration at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

With the theme ‘Saksama Bersama’, Rina said the celebration, which is taking place simultaneously at the international level from today to Tuesday, has been adapted to the current context of the country, which is still facing obstacles that need to be addressed in an effort to elevate women to higher levels.

“The celebration will provide employment and business opportunities to women, in addition to being a one-stop centre for ministries and agencies, corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to offer their services specifically for women. It will also provide opportunities for visitors to participate in volunteerism activities for mutual equality,” she said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to officiate at the Women’s Day 2022 celebration with a host of ongoing activities, including exhibitions by government agencies, corporations and NGOs, booth sales and product exhibitions by women entrepreneurs.

Through the celebration, the ministry will also recognise women icons for the Icon Women Awards 2022 in the fields of economics, education, health, leadership, security, legislation and the Tun Fatimah Special Award. – Bernama, March 6, 2022