Quotas are necessary in certain areas

POLITICAL analyst Dr Sharifah Syahirah Syed Sheikh’s proposal for a quota policy for women representatives in state assemblies and Parliament has some merits, “Women representation sorely lacking” (The Star, Sept 22).

In a strong democratic set-up, political representation, whether at state or Federal level, should ideally reflect the composition of our population. The current patriarchal mindset and politics are discriminating against our women who are being largely accepted as only followers or party workers instead of leaders in their own right.

While there are already many capable and inspiring Malaysian women out there, equally valid is the argument that quotas are necessary to allow an even playing field for them in the political executive ranks.

While women greatly outnumber men in tertiary education, their numbers at political and boardroom level are far from satisfactory. Arguably, talent is equal in both sexes and our men do not necessarily have more intelligence or wisdom.

That being so, the view that men dominate upper-level posts in politics or business or jobs due to their greater merit or capability is not valid.

It would be a bold sexist claim than men dominate top political posts due to their greater merit, as this implies that women are under-represented due to their lack of merit or talent.

Quotas allow for more women to break through the glass ceiling and create more political executive role models.

Take note of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s sound advice that “if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.”