On February 27, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER), a civil society organisation promoting women’s participation in politics, launched a proposed Gender Parity in Political Representation Act (GPPRA), also known as the Akta Projek30%. This act is calling for a binding legal framework to ensure that at least 30% of the candidates fielded are women in national and state elections in phases and starting at the 16th General Election (GE16).

EMPOWER held a joint launch and forum, Gender Parity in Political Representation Act: Turning at least 30% into Law, at WORQ, Menara UOA Bangsar. The event was organised by EMPOWER and in partnership with Malaysiakini as the media partner. This event was also supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Shawn Tinkler, First Secretary of the Canadian High Commission of Malaysia. He gave the opening speech and was attended by Ms Cherine Hegazy, CFLI Coordinator.

First Secretary of the Canadian High Commission of Malaysia Shawn Tinkler gave the opening speech for the event

Presenting the launch of the GPRRA were Mr. Gopalan-K Papachan, Executive Director of EMPOWER, and Ms. Daniella Zulkifili, EXCO Member and Immediate Past President of Association of Women Lawyers (AWL). The proposed act will introduce a minimum 30% threshold for women candidates, establish a Gender Parity Committee to oversee implementation, and create an Incentive Fund to support women candidates and encourage compliance by political parties.

Mr. Gopalan-K Papachan, Executive Director of EMPOWER (left) and Ms. Daniella Zulkifili, EXCO Member and Immediate Past President of Association of Women Lawyers (right) presented the proposed GPPRA.

The forum titled ‘Akta Projek 30%: Advancing Equal Representation in Malaysian Politics’ featured a panel discussion with YB Hajah Rodziah Ismail (MP Ampang), YB Wong Shu Qi (MP Kluang), Dr. Syaza Shukri (Associate Professor at IIUM), and Ainie Haziqah (Secretary General of MUDA), and was moderated by Melisa Idris of Astro Awani. The discussion centred around the urgency of legislative reform and the pathway toward equal political representation.

(Left-Right) Melisa Idris of Astro Awani as moderator; Panellists Dr. Syaza Shukri (Associate Professor at IIUM), YB Hajah Rodziah Ismail (MP Ampang), YB Wong Shu Qi (MP Kluang), and Ainie Haziqah (Secretary General of MUDA).

YB Wong Shu Qi (MP Kluang) spoke during the forum.

Projek30% will continue engaging with political parties, elected representatives, and key stakeholders, and plans to submit a memorandum and the draft act to the Prime Minister and cabinet. Projek30% is a campaign by a coalition of civil society NGOs led by EMPOWER in collaboration with AWL and supported by JAG, BERSIH, and CSO Platform for Reform.

Photos by Divakaran Prabhakaran

This content is provided by Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER).

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