MALAYSIA has exceeded the target of having at least 30% of women at the decision-making level of the public sector.
The prime minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, said the country’s achievement stood at 35.8% at the public sector’s decision-making level, while in the corporate sector, the figure stood at 29.9%.
“Malaysia is the only country that set the target and policies of the minimum percentage of 30% for women’s involvement at the decision-making level in the public and corporate sectors,” she said in her speech at the opening ceremony of the 48th anniversary of Wanita, a women’s magazine published by Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd (UKSB) in Kuala Lumpur today.
“In the past 10 years, Malaysian women have achieved significant successes, both at national and international levels, whether in economics, education, politics, health science, space science or arts.
“Among them, Malaysia has achieved gender parity in terms of women participation in the labour force that has increased from 47% in 2015 to 52% in 2016,” she said.
Better access to education, employment and entrepreneurship as well as sociocultural changes have enabled women to move progressively and enjoy equal opportunities to contribute to national development, she said.
In terms of economics, health and education, the Global Gender Gap Report 2016 reported that Malaysia had reached gender parity level almost equal to the developed countries, she added.
“I do admit that it is not easy for women to juggle their roles as wife, mother and career woman while facing the challenges of globalisation,” said the prime minister’s wife.
At the event, Rosmah received the Women Icon Award in recognition of her services, contributions and excellence in the development of women both at national and international levels. – Bernama, August 10, 2017.