Media statement by Chong Eng in Bukit Mertajam on Wednesday, 29^th June 2011:

30% Women Power in cabinet and top decisions level in public sector would be more effective in bringing gender equality

While the Federal Government's announcement to implement 30% women's quota in decision-making positions of the corporate sector by 2016 is commendable and in line with current demand, it is more vital to have at least 30% women's representation in Government policy-making machenary if Malaysia wants to achieve gender equality.

This is because decisions made by the Government will have a bigger effect on the people and nation. For example, decisions by the Cabinet such as the 30% women quota for corporate sector will affect the market as well as the job dynamics of men and women.

According to a survey report in 2009 by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, gender gap in Malaysia is widest in the fields of politics and economy while it is more narrow in the fields of education and health.

Presently in Malaysia, the female labour participation rate is about 46% while male labour participation rate is 80%, and women are mostly involved in lower paying jobs. Studies also showed that the higher the position is, the income gap between men and women in the same position becomes bigger. Women still face the traditional glass ceiling when building their careers, and thus, it is necessary to have the 30% women's quota.

Similarly, in the Government, the higher the positions, the lesser the participation of women. Certain top posts in the government such as Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Minister and Menteri Besar were never held by women before. Women only made up 10% of membership in the Parliament and about 8% in the State Assemblies throughout the country. Out of 148 mayors in Malaysia, there are only 4 women. Such gender imbalanced power structure eventually caused a neglect of women's perspective in policy making, ignoring the needs of women, children and families.

For example, from the long term perspective of social interest and national development, child care facilities are more important than football, but the Barisan Nasional Federal Government is reversed in this aspect, seeing football as more important than children. This is reflected the disporpotionate amount given to football and child care facilities in the last 20 years. The Federal Government spent RM569 million for the last 26 years on football, while only RM22.4 million was spent on grants to NGO to establish 231 child care centres. This is an obvious result from the lack of gender sensitivity in decision making in the Government.

Thus, from the interest point of women, children family and social development, it is more critical to address the gender gap in the Government. The Prime Minister has the power to undo this long time gender disparity, but if he is only focused on asking others to implement gender mechanism such as 30% women's quota while he does not do the same with his own Government, then it will give the impression that the Prime Minister is not sincere to want change.

* Chong Eng, DAP Wanita Chairperson & MP for Bukit Mertajam