Share of women in political life still lowThe representation of women in legislative bodies is one of the indicators of society’s commitment to women’s empowerment. Strong participation of women in political decision-making processes can help ensure the eventual elimination of inequalities faced by women. Since Independence, the number of female candidates elected to political decision-making bodies in Malaysia has increased, but only at a moderate rate and to a relatively low level. In 1990, just 5 per cent of parliamentarians were women. This proportion doubled to 10 per cent in 1999 but remained at that level after the 2004 general election. With their increasing level of education, often exceeding that of men, it is expected that women will want to participate more fully at all levels of political life.
* Source: Malaysia – Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, 2005 Source: Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development ....................................................................................
SOWC 2007 - Women in Malaysia Speak Out!
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