'Legislate quota system to achieve 30pct women in politics target'
A social scientist has proposed the Pakatan Harapan government legislate a gender quota system in public and the private sectors, in line with its policy to empower female participation across the board.
Tan Beng Hui told a seminar on women in politics, today that this is the only way to ensure higher female participation in politics...
A social scientist has proposed the Pakatan Harapan government legislate a gender quota system in public and the private sectors, in line with its policy to empower female participation across the board.
Tan Beng Hui told a seminar on women in politics, today that this is the only way to ensure higher female participation in politics.
"I hope everyone in this room can pressure the government to implement a quota system, and this is the only way – by legislating – that every single party will have its own quota for female participation.
"If you expect the political parties (to meet the 30 percent target pledged by all parties), it will never happen," she said.
Tan cited the female representation in Parliament, which only stood at 14.4 percent in the 2018 general election – a 10 percent increase from the 4.5 percent recorded in the 1978 polls.
At this rate, she said Malaysia would need 145 years to achieve a 50 percent female lawmakers' target.
Tan said even Wanita Umno, which is known for its political strength, did not take a strong approach in demanding the party make higher female participation into a law.
"So let's hope that we, as women, will not repeat the same mistake under the Pakatan Harapan government," she said.
Speaking to the media later, Tan said that in some countries, political parties not achieving their gender quota are considered to have committed an offence.
The policy for 30 percent female participation in the public sector was put in place under the previous BN administration, while the private sector was encouraged to do so, she pointed out.
"But when it comes to politics, there is nothing to help women enter the arena, which is full of obstacles.
"We need a law which makes it an offence to not allow a women quota system in political parties. This is the fastest way for women to be represented," said the author of Feminism and the Women's Movement in Malaysia.
Tan, however, noted the legislation itself is not enough as training must be provided for female politicians.
For a start, she proposed a minimum 30 percent quota for women in politics.
The seminar, jointly organised by Institusi Wanita Budaya and the Selangor state government, was attended mainly by women's rights advocates and politicians.
Affirmative action
Also present was Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamarudin, who concurred with Tan that a law is needed to ensure higher female participation in politics.
"To empower women in politics at all levels, we need to have affirmative action," she said, adding some countries had achieved such targets via legislation.
"We will bring the matter up to Harapan for consideration, because for us to be developed country and an advanced party, we should also implement quotas for female involvement."
Zuraida also promised that there would be 30 percent female participation in local government elections.
"This is the platform for us to run a trial in our effort to push for (higher) women's participation," she said.
Previously, Zuraida set three years timeline for her ministry to hold local elections.
Despite Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's opposition to the idea, she said that her ministry would continue to study the implementation of the third vote.
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