Transformation to place more women at decision making level

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KOTA KINABALU: Statistics has shown that 30.5 per cent of top management posts at the federal level are occupied by women in comparison to a mere 6.9 per cent in 1995.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Hajah Azizah Mohd Dun said the figure had achieved the baseline of 30 per cent set by the government.

In addition, the current trend also shows that the number of women senators has increased from 18.2 per cent in 1990 to 28.8 per cent in 2009, while the number of female members of parliament jumped from 5.3 per cent in 1990 to 10.4 per cent in 2009.

Within Sabah’s context, Azizah admitted that the progress achieved so far was not on par to that of Peninsular Malaysia but said there have been obvious transformation in terms of women placed at the decision making level.

“With the continuous support and concern from the Chief Minister, I am confident that the number of women in the cabinet (nine per cent) and also as department heads (six per cent) will improve,” she said when officiating the ‘Women of Substance’ workshop here yesterday.

She added that the role of women in developing the country’s economy was more significant, as indicated by the 46.4 per cent of women workforce in 2008 compared to 44.7 per cent in 1995.

“The government has set to achieve 55 per cent of women’s participation in the workforce by the end of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).”

She further said her ministry and the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (JHEWA) have set their eyes on increasing the number of women at the decision-making level in the government sector, private sector, statutory bodies, local authorities and even in political leadership under the 10-year women development plan.

Azizah also acknowledged the issues facing women which include poverty, abuse, human trafficking, HIV-AIDS, discriminiation and access to education.

Speaking of the workshop, Azizah said the programme had been listed in the 10MP with an allocation of RM500,000 for the first rolling plan (2011-2012).

With the allocation, she had promised more follow-up programmes and urged for women’s participation in such activities.

She also said the programme has been planned to prepare women with specific skills to develop their potential in their respective careers.

Also present were Toh Puan Hajah Rahimah Stephens, deputy state secretary Datuk Maznah Ghani, permanent secretary to the ministry Datuk Asnimar Hj Sukardi and JHEWA director Datuk Hajah Siti Sapoo Hj Ahok.