Moving towards balanced gender representation

THE programmes and initiatives of the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), including its Gender Responsive and Participatory

Budgeting (GRPB) Project, have contributed positively towards raising the gender sensitivity of the state and local government leadership as well as

the decision makers within political parties. International research noted by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee demonstrates that if women’s participation reaches 30 to 35%, there is a real impact on

political style and the content of decisions, and political lives is revitalized. “I am very pleased to note the increase in the number of women

councillors in both MBPP (Penang Island City Council) and MPSP (Seberang Perai Municipal Council), by eight per cent in both councils (for

MBPP, an increase to five from three women councilors last year and for MPSP an increase to three from one last year).

“In terms of percentage, MBPP now has 20% and MPSP 12% women representation,” exco for Youth and Sports, Women, Family & Community

Development Chong Eng said in a press statement on Jan 7. On Jan 6, the new line-up of local councillors for MBPP and MPSP was announced.

“We are still short of the minimum 30% generally agreed as the ‘critical mass’ of women’s representation needed to make a difference, but we are

certainly on the right path,” she added. Chong Eng said at least six of the past and present women councillors in both MBPP and MPSP have

attended women’s leadership training programmes organised by PWDC. Many are also active in the Briged Wanita Pulau

Pinang under the Community Security and Development Committees.

“We are proud to have supported the development of these women leaders through PWDC, and hope they will continue to grow in their new roles,”

she stressed. She also called upon elected representatives in the state government to provide more career opportunities to women as a means of

promoting gender equality and increasing women’s representation in decision making.

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