Making a call for change
Minister rings alarm over underrepresentation of women in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has less than 30 per cent of women lawmakers in Parliament, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said yesterday, calling it alarming.
Calling for a change, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister said action must be taken to address the low representation of women politicians, lawmakers, and other top-decision making areas in both public and private sectors, such as corporations and universities.
“In the realm of politics, it is concerning to note that the presence of women in the Dewan Rakyat falls short of the 30 per cent mark in each general election.
“This needs to change,” she said in her speech at the Women’s Rights Conference 2024 here, organised by the Malaysian Bar.
The 62-year-old politician from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in Sarawak added that all political parties needed to agree to allow 30 per cent of women to contest to ensure that women would be adequately represented in Parliament.
“We need leaders to really understand this,” said the Santubong MP.
Nancy said she and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok had been pushing for more women representation in Parliament, but added that ‘little has changed’.
Kok said it was impossible to increase the number of women
In the realm of politics, it is concerning to note that the presence of women in the Dewan Rakyat falls short of the 30 per cent mark in each general election. This needs to change.
— Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Women, Family and Community Development Minister
MPs without first changing the law and the election system.
“Under the current system, it’s not possible,” the 59-yearold politician from DAP added during a panel discussion in the second half of the conference.
Nancy called upon women nationwide to show their support for women’s rights advocacy by wearing purple this March 8, which also marks International Women’s Day.