KUCHING: Women are still lacking behind in becoming leaders in the political field, said president of National Council of Women’s Organisation (NCWO) Prof Emerita Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Sharifah Hapsah.
She said with this situation, it has lowered Malaysia’s position in some world rankings.
“It is a very sad situation because our country has produced many educated and skilled women but these assets are not fully used to advance the political and development fields of the country.
“There are definitely many challenges, either involving the structures, culture and practices or psychology that women faced in politics.
“These factors need to be identified and overcome with wise and fair actions,” she said in her speech during the Women Leadership in Malaysia’s Politics Forum in Kuala Lumpur, recently.
Therefore, she said considering the 15th General Elections which is to be held soon, NCWO thinks that it is the right time for the organisation to join hands with interested parties to discuss, plan strategically and take action to increase and improve the position of women in parliament and state legislative assembly.
“NCWO is a nonpartisan organisation which combined national and state level women’s associations in one network or network which is not only wide but membered by women from all corners of the country and various backgrounds, regardless of lineage, belief or ideology.
“We are all united with one mission, that is fighting for equal rights for women and family welfare,” she pointed out.
Earlier, she said since the establishment of NCWO in 1963, the organisation has made achievements in many matters, for example determining the right to equal wage, separate taxation, access to education and health, legal protection, policy of at least 30% of women at decision-making levels in the public and private sectors and much more.
