Breaking Down Barriers: Empowering Women in Malaysian Politics
A Call to Action: 30% Female Representation in Politics
Lawyer-turned-activist Ambiga Sreenevasan has long been a champion of women’s rights and social justice in Malaysia. In a recent public forum organized by NGO Mandiri, she urged political parties to take concrete steps towards greater female representation in politics. According to Ambiga, the existence of separate women’s wings within parties reinforces male dominance and does not provide women with equal footing in politics.
Challenging the Status Quo
Ambiga argued that the creation of women’s wings is a step backward, as it perpetuates the idea that women are secondary to men. "The minute you move them to another wing, what are you saying? You’re saying the male wing is the one in command," she said. "By the way, we’re giving women a women’s wing, and hopefully, they will just talk about family and children." This structure does not provide women with the equal representation they deserve.
A Model for Equality: Muda’s Commitment to Gender Parity
Ambiga praised Muda for its decision not to have a women’s wing, stating that it reflects the party’s commitment to treating women as equals. "That is a very good move… You make them your equals," she said. This commitment to gender parity is a step in the right direction, and Ambiga hopes to see other parties follow suit.
The Current State of Women in Malaysian Politics
Unfortunately, women remain severely underrepresented in Malaysian politics, holding less than 15% of the 222 parliamentary seats. In the 15th general election (GE15), women made up only 13.4% of the total candidates – 127 out of 945 parliamentary hopefuls. This lack of representation is a clear indication of the need for change.
A Modest Demand: 30% Female Representation
Ambiga urged political parties to set a firm target of 30% female representation in their candidate lineups, stating that this is a modest demand compared to asking for true equality at 50%. "Thirty per cent is all we’re asking for," she said. This would be a significant step towards greater inclusion and representation in Malaysian politics.
A Call to Action: What’s Next?
In conclusion, Ambiga’s call to action is clear: political parties must take concrete steps towards greater female representation in their candidate lineups. A target of 30% female representation would be a significant step towards greater inclusion and equality in Malaysian politics. It is up to parties to take action and ensure that women have a seat at the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current state of women’s representation in Malaysian politics?
A: Women hold less than 15% of the 222 parliamentary seats, with 13.4% of the total candidates in the 15th general election (GE15).
Q: What is the proposed target for female representation in candidate lineups?
A: 30%
Q: Which political party has committed to gender parity?
A: Muda, which has chosen not to have a women’s wing, has demonstrated its commitment to treating women as equals.
Q: What is the impact of having separate women’s wings within parties?
A: It reinforces male dominance and does not provide women with equal footing in politics.