KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Women now hold 38.8 per cent of decision-making positions in the public sector, according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
However, the target of 30 per cent of women holding such positions in the private and corporate sectors has yet to be achieved.
The matter was discussed in the National Women and Family Council (MWKN) meeting today, which was held for the first time this year.
She said the meeting also focused on aspects and initiatives to encourage women to return to work to achieve the 60 per cent female workforce participation target in the labour market outlined by the Madani Economy framework.
“If we were to compare with Singapore, the number of working women there is over 70 per cent, so we want to reach a high level, but we need to provide support, especially in terms of salaries,” Nancy said during a press conference after chairing the MWKN meeting.
The meeting also discussed views and suggestions on implementing the initiative to extend the tax incentives for women returning to work until December 31, 2027, announced during the Budget 2024 tabling last week.
This includes the proposed income tax exemption limit on childcare allowances employees receive or paid directly by employers to childcare centres, which was increased to RM3,000.
To encourage women to return to work, the ministry is also implementing legal reforms via the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022.
She said the meeting also discussed implementing policies and the National Reproductive and Social Health Education Action Plan (Pekerti) 2022-2025 at the state level by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
The meeting was also attended by deputy minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, ministry secretary-general Datuk Maziah Che Yusoff, representatives of KPKWM agencies, and representatives from other ministries.
MWKN, established at the beginning of this year, serves as a platform for all stakeholders, including Federal government agencies, private sector representatives, and representatives of academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to provide views and ideas to empower women and strengthen family institutions more broadly and comprehensively.
— Bernama
