Workers day: Women empowerment at the forefront of BN administration

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's commitment to empowering women over the last six decades has seen substantial improvement in their socio-economic and educational status, and led to more job opportunities for them in the professional sector.
Pushing the women's agenda in the employment and entrepreneurial sectors has always been at the forefront of government policies.
And, in line with the theme for this year's Workers' Day, "Skillful Workers Pioneers of National Excellence", even the Barisan Nasional's 14th general election manifesto shows great promise for the upliftment of women in the employment and economic arenas.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will launch the 2018 Workers Day celebrations at the Putra World Trade Centre, here on May 1.
International Islamic University Malaysia law lecturer Associate Prof Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz said women workers from all walks of life, ranging from unmarried women to single mothers who have to struggle to raise their children, have gained from the government's policies.
Referring to BN's election manifesto, he said it gave priority to the development and well-being of women and even a Women's Economic Council (WEC) has been proposed for their economic empowerment.
"This is something realistic as we want to see a rise in the status of women. These days, women need to be economically stable too so that they can cope with the rising cost of living," he told Bernama.
A total of 74 out of the 364 initiatives outlined in the BN manifesto, unveiled by Najib who is also BN chairman on April 7, are on or related to women, including 25 that are tailored for various target groups.
The manifesto also provides for the establishment of a Women Entrepreneurs Transformation Centre in every state to enhance business networking among women, create women's cooperatives, make it easier for them to secure microcredit financing for business purposes, enable them to participate in technical and vocation training and tap into the potential of single mothers by giving them special job opportunities.
BN also announced in its manifesto it would ensure that at least 30% of decision-makers in all sectors comprise women.
Commenting on this, Shamrahayu said the 30% cap would not restrict women from reaching new heights in their profession if they have the merit, competency and ability to contribute to the nation.
"Although we live in a somewhat patriarchal society, our women are given the opportunity to be on par with their male peers (at the workplace). At institutions of higher learning, female students outnumber their male counterparts.
"Their participation in community-related activities or non-governmental organisations is also well recognised," he said.
Malaysia even has a ministry dedicated to the implementation of policies and programmes with regard to the development and well-being of women, he added, referring to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Shamrahayu also said the recent announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom that a special court would be set up under the purview of the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court to handle cases involving marriage and divorce, child custody and alimony would indirectly empower women.
"This initiative will help to ease the burden of women who previously had to endure long waits when it came to cases involving the Syariah court. This (special court) will improve women's rights and strengthen their position," he said.
Women in Nuclear Malaysia president Dr Noor Hasnah Mohamed Khairullah, meanwhile, was happy to note that 25 of the initiatives for women in the BN manifesto were specially tailored for 12 target groups.
"No woman has been left out," said Noor Hasnah, who has worked for 40 years in the male-dominated nuclear industry.
The 12 target groups include single mothers, young women, career women, women leaders, women educators, women entrepreneurs, Felda women, and women in the creative arts and digital industries.
According to Noor Hasnah, compared to some other countries, there was wide scope in Malaysia for women to pursue and succeed in various fields.
"Our women have made great strides in various professions and their achievements are praise-worthy. In fact, there's nothing to prevent women from exploiting or controlling industries long associated with male dominance," she said.
She, however, acknowledged that certain improvements were deemed necessary, particularly in the provision of child-care facilities at the workplace and making available more job opportunities for women who wished to return to work after their children have grown older.
"There are also many qualified women out there who deserve to be given the opportunity to lead their organisations and be appointed to top management posts," she said.
Organisations that fail to allow women to climb up the corporate ladder should justify their reasons for not considering women for key posts, she added.
Urging corporations to have a transparent succession plan in place, Noor Hasnah said such a move would lead to the eradication of the boys' club culture, as well as gender-biased policies and the so-called glass ceiling that hindered the progress of women.
"If there is a vacancy for a high-level post, all qualified persons, irrespective of gender, should be given the opportunity to apply for it," she added.
The BN manifesto, meanwhile, also has provisions for pregnant women workers to return home an hour earlier and flexible working hours for mothers with children aged two and below.
Companies would also be given incentives to set up childcare centres and provide facilities for breastfeeding mothers. — Bernama