It’s time for women to be at the next level of politics, says Shahrizat
04 Oct 2022 07:34pm
Former Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says the country has been talking about fielding a minimum 30 per cent women candidates since the 90s
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"I am glad that the issue of women in politics is attracting attention in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
"I first started (on the topic) in the 1990s. We cannot afford to be having the same conversation, the same goals over 20 years later," she said in her Instagram post.
This comes after Umno announced that the party will field 30 per cent women candidates from its Wanita and Puteri wings in the 15th General Election.
Shahrizat said women have been the backbone of Malaysian politics since independence and the topic of having women in politics is overdue.
"When we look around the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, we see just as many women in those halls of power as there are in society, instead of a paltry 14% women MPs.
"As a politician myself, I understand firsthand the challenges and barriers that women face – in getting fielded in a winnable constituency, the personal and gendered attacks women politicians specifically endure, and the higher standards we are held to, to prove that we are half as good as our male counterparts," she said.
Shahrizat, the former Lembah Pantai MP added that: "I am certain that the country’s top (male) leadership, in particular from Umno and BN component parties will be very attentive to this issue because they recognise that many women have the capacity, drive, and potential to lead and serve the people of this country."
As the country emerges from Covid-19, she said it was time to dream big as women are half the population, half the electorate, and affected wholly by the issues that affect the country.
"It’s time to take women’s participation in politics to the next level," said the former women, family and community development minister.
