System Reform Needed To Boost Women’s Participation In Politics - Noraini

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- Women’s participation in national politics must be strengthened through more comprehensive and structured reforms to ensure fairer and more balanced representation, said Wanita UMNO chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.

The Plantation and Commodities Minister said women’s participation in politics remains low and does not reflect their true capabilities, despite strong achievements in education and the economy.

“When women make up more than 60 per cent of university enrolment and the female labour force participation rate reaches 56.6 per cent, women’s representation in the Dewan Rakyat is still only around 13.5 per cent,” she said in her speech at the Voices of HER Forum at the World Trade Centre here today.

She said this reflects a significant gap between women’s achievements in other sectors and their representation in political decision-making.

Noraini added that the lack of women’s voices in politics not only affects women themselves but also undermines the quality of public policy, which should be more inclusive and comprehensive.

She therefore proposed several measures, including the introduction of quota mechanisms or incentives within the electoral system, improvements to political party nomination structures, and more systematic development of women leaders.

Noraini also said societal attitudes towards women leaders must improve to ensure more women are given opportunities to take on leadership roles in shaping the nation’s direction.

“Increased women’s participation will not happen naturally without clear, structured and sustained policy intervention,” she added.

The forum, themed ‘Women in Politics: Leadership, Representation and Reality’, brought together local and international figures to discuss challenges and strategies to strengthen women’s roles in the political landscape.

-- BERNAMA