DAP made Malaysian history last month by setting a minimum 30% women’s quota at the CEC level. Many regard this as a positive step that will encourage more women to participate in politics especially at decision making level. DAP Wanita chief, Chong Eng, aptly described it as “an important step to begin paving the way for more women leaders and thus policies that were reflective of women’s interests”.
Sadly, both PKR and PAS are still lagging in terms of women representation in politics. Even though PKR amended its constitution in 2009 which included a 30% quota for women representation at all levels, the party has yet to achieve this. While PAS, according to Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, felt that “PAS men leaders and part of the women leaders are not ready to impose such a quota” even if the party’s women’s wing wished for.
Such reports are upsetting but change is not impossible. The role of women in local politics must be given greater emphasis and this can only been done by changing the mindset of our society.
I concur with PKR women’s wing chief, Zuraida Kamaruddin’s statement that although the party and to an extent the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, has successfully attracted numerous capable women, unfortunately, quite a number of women are still somewhat reluctant to ‘step up’ and take on leadership roles. Gender discrimination is a definite problem that has kept a lot of capable women away from politics.
In general, female politicians are easier targets when it comes to smear campaigns and negative stereotype. Unfortunately, we still live in a deep rooted patriarchal system that curtails a woman’s mobility and freedom, where some – both men and women, still feel that men are better suited emotionally and ‘genetically’ for politics. We have also seen the ugly side of internalized sexism, where women single out and belittle other women, through organizations that struggle to maintain patriarchal beliefs.
The notion that women are ‘alone’ and have no support from society can be demoralizing. The obstacles Malaysian women face, whilst trying to purge the repulsiveness of misogyny can be daunting and discouraging at times; some Malaysians even go as far as dismissing women’s rights as something frivolous and not worth fighting for.
Given that women make up more than half of the Malaysian population, there is a great necessity to ensure that women are presented the same opportunities for leadership as men and are also allowed to serve without the fear of intimidation and discrimination.
Our biggest challenge right now is addressing the factors that deter women from seeking or accepting a career in politics and challenging the patriarchal system; women and young girls are capable of achieving greatness and are more than capable to compete with men as equals. We need to inspire, encourage and implant ideas that will enable them to see themselves as future leaders, not just playing second fiddle or merely complimenting the ‘masculine form’.