PUTRAJAYA: The evaluation for the proposed Gender Mainstreaming Framework has been completed last March and all set to be launched soon, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said the framework would be recommended for adoption by all ministries and government agencies.
The gender action plan would recommend how gender perspectives and gender targets to be integrated into all planning and budgeting, and the key role of sex-disaggregated data would also be emphasised, she said.
“The framework is crucial as it is for the benefit of the society, women, men and family. Therefore, all ministries must take a note of it,” she told reporters after launching the World Bank report titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Toward Better Economic Opportunities for Women in Malaysia,’ here today.
The framework is a collaborative effort of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to evaluate the implementation of national action plan for advancement of women.
On the World Bank report, Wan Azizah said the policy recommendations were in line with the government’s efforts to eliminate barriers for women to participate in the economy.
In addition to boosting economic growth, she said gender parity would also increase women’s physical security, wellbeing and autonomy.
Dr Wan Azizah said her ministry was also in the midst of drafting two pieces of legislation aimed at increasing protection for women.
“Firstly, a Bill to prohibit all forms of discrimination against women, and secondly, a Bill to address the issue of sexual harassment within and outside the workplace,” she explained.
Dr Wan Azizah added that the Human Resources Ministry was also working to strengthen protection for women and families under the Employment Act (1955), including extending paid maternity leave and introducing paid paternity leave. — Bernama
