KUALA LUMPUR: Women's leadership roles in the government are crucial and if appointed, Malaysia's Ambassador for Women and Girls could support parties and deliberate policies that will help ensure Malaysia has a more gender-sensitive and equal society.
Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Christine Clarke CSC noted that as women's leadership roles in the government are highly regarded as crucial in today's world, they must be supported by parties and deliberate policies that will help ensure a more gender-sensitive and equal society.
"It is around parties to look into women, supporting, formulating their policies and giving them such real leadership roles when they're there, and continuing to support them when they've been elected.
"Not just that, the people in the community have got to get behind those women candidates. It is an ecosystem that we really need to get working to include a greater representation of the group. We need women in leadership roles at every stratum of our communities in our society."
Clarke told Bernama during her visit to the news agency's headquarters, recently.
She was in Malaysia, as part of one of Australia's key regional engagement activities - the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE2022) -- for a Women, Peace and Security Roundtable with related Malaysian ministries and agencies, alongside a series of military activities such as humanitarian and disaster relief training, and other training workshops from Nov 7 to 9.
IPE2022 represents one of a multitude of longstanding bilateral and multilateral defence engagement activities that Australia and Malaysia regularly undertake. It includes over 50 years of shared contribution to the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
Elaborating, Clarke opined that the universal standard of 30 per cent of women's representation in government is still a realistic target and possibly be achieved for all government who runs the board.
"If women are 50 per cent of the population, why can't we be 50 per cent of the government?
"I think setting targets is important. For example, 30 per cent is a good target because the system will tell us that when you get to 30 per cent, it will start to develop a life of its own and it will roll. Thus, the target is still a realistic target for the momentum to keep going," she said.
Speaking on her visit to the country, Clarke highlighted that her presence in the city is to link the IPE2022 in the women's peace and security spheres with the Malaysian side by offering expertise and knowledge sharing.
She added that as both areas are critically important for Australia and Malaysia, she anticipated more engagements in the near future, including ending violence against women and girls, and women empowerment.
"Challenges we're facing today are not just on defence issue but there is more to it; disaster responses, peacekeeping, peace negotiation and many more.
"Australia is ready and looking forward to sharing experience and knowledge, as well as offering assistance around the national action plan that the Malaysian side is currently planning.
"With the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development specifically, I believe there is information-sharing and cooperative arrangement that can be done in order for both nations could collaborate and work together," she added.
Before commencing in the role of Ambassador for Women and Girls, Clarke worked with the Pacific Gender Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Reserve Service following completing her lengthy full-time Navy career in June 2021.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Nov 29 2022
Women's leadership roles in the government are highly regarded as crucial in today's world, they must be supported by parties and deliberate policies that will help ensure a more gender-sensitive and equal society. - BERNAMA/Filepic
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.