Relatable: Women are also good campaigners, party workers, says Dr Zaireeni

SHAH ALAM - Women play a crucial role when it comes to the political situation in Malaysia due to its history of many women participating actively campaigning and fundraising for the country’s independence.

However, do the traditional and historical roles of women play a role in today’s political landscape? It includes grassroot movements like campaigning door to door during election season.

USM Research on Women and Gender (Kanita) Convenor Dr Zaireeni Azmi said women are good campaigners and party workers who significantly contribute to the general elections in the country.

“Let's acknowledge that but we know that some people are too comfortable with those roles that they refused to go beyond,” she said as a panelist on Sinar Daily’s Relatable programme with the topic “Self-Sabotage? When Women Don’t Vote Women”.

This, she said, is something that needs to be changed and it is the role of every party to be on board in making that happen.

She said, everybody should talk and be aware about the importance of having female leaders and that it is okay to be led by women.

“To change that, we need everybody to be on board, we need religious scholars to talk about the importance of having women leaders and that it is okay to have women leaders in the organisation,” she added..

Adding more, she said the narrative that revolves around questioning the credibility of women and the needs of women should be stopped.

“We need to put a different narrative.

“Women can be leaders. That's it. So, what are you going to do about it?,” she said.