Govt policies elevate status of women

SHAH ALAM: Various government policies and initiatives have helped elevate the status and optimise the capabilities of women in the country.

Selangor Entrepreneur Transformation Centre ( ETC) chairman Datuk Waheeda Faruz said due the policies, more than 50 per cent of women in the developed state had become important contributors to the economic growth.

She said the openness of women with the current trend coupled with the increased number of highly educated women as a result of the various initiatives of the federal government had ensured women were given equal opportunities as men.

“Women have to grab the opportunity because there are many government policies that support our empowerment.

“In terms of career opportunities and expansion, there is no doubt that our share in decision-making positions has been on an upward trend,” she told Bernama.

According to Waheeda, her appointment as chairman of the ETC had proven that women in Malaysia were trusted by the government to hold important positions.

Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Naqiyuddin Bakar, who is also Johor Universiti Teknologi Mara ( UiTM) rector said the adoption of the National Policy on Women, aim to bridge the gender gap by achieving 30 per cent women representation at senior decision-making positions and various other initiatives and policies showed the government’s seriousness in elevating the status of women.

“Women are good in managing finance and solving conflicts, these can be beneficial to develop any sector. Furthermore, the number of educated women are growing and that proves that the group can play an important role in the country,” he said.

He said every woman in the country had the opportunity to advance themselves through various government platforms. — Bernama