PUTRAJAYA, Nov 25 — Wanita Parti Keadilan Rakyat cited bullying culture as one of the reasons women stay away from being involved in active politics.
The wing’s national executive committee member Sandrea Ng, who is also Perak Keadilan’s communications director and the state’s housing and local government committee chairman, said there is currently an imbalance and injustice in various aspects of life, including at the workplace, in education and among communities, due to a lack of gender sensitivity.
This situation even extended to the legislative institutions, she said, citing several recent instances when sexist and gender-sensitive statements were hurled in the Dewan Rakyat.
Ng said these types of statements were not only disappointing but extremely hurtful to women.
“Enough is enough!… I want to strongly object to all these statements because this behaviour is irresponsible and establishes a culture of bullying towards women in politics,” she said in her Wanita Keadilan leaders ‘reflection speech’ at the congress held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
Meanwhile, issues related to empowering and providing equality to women in various aspects and administrative institutions were also raised by several delegates, including Selangor delegate Ainul Aizura Ahsan, who urged the government to do more to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights.
“This includes fully enforcing laws against gender discrimination in all fields and domestic violence and increasing representation in legislative bodies and other leadership positions,” she said.
On the other hand, Terengganu delegate Ramlah Saleh said institutions and agencies need to ensure and have a duty to measure equality regarding women’s progress in their achievements regardless of gender.
“Women also need to be treated fairly based on qualifications to be in places they deserve.
“As such, government institutions and agencies need to provide training and courses as well as awareness to their employees regarding gender stereotypes in these institutions to improve awareness and reduce discrimination issues,” she said.
— Bernama
