KUALA LUMPUR: Women leaders from all over the world are hoping to share ideas and expertise on policies and issues revolving around women’s development in politics and various fields ahead of the Women in Politics Kuala Lumpur 2017 conference.
The conference which will be held tomorrow at Putra World Trade Centre in conjunction with Umno 71st general assembly here will see delegates from 18 countries including Mauritius, Palestine and Indonesia.
Republic of Mauritius vice prime minister and Local Government and Outer Islands minister Fazila Jeewa Daureawoo congratulated the Malaysian government on holding an empowering conference.
The minister also shared the Mauritius' experience on having major improvements in the country since the appointment of women into politics.
Fazila said that women were represented well and appointed into policy-making roles in the nation while its government even set up Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Ministry in 1982.
She said around 50 per cent of decision-making levels or positions in the public sector were held by women but in the private sector only 18 per cent of such positions were filled by women.
Fazila added that Mauritius with only 1.2 million population where 52 per cent were women said it was important to have more women holding executive roles in the private sector.
“The local government has created incentives for the private sector on hiring women, and few years ago we saw a gradual increase in the hiring of women, and in the top management.
“One of the reasons for the low employment might be due to the women themselves. They think that it will be difficult for them to split time between family and career,” Fazila said during a press conference on WIPKL 2017 here today.
She said that the the government was also finding ways to protect women’s rights such as addressing domestic abuse in the country.
“We have received reports on domestic violence. However some charges were dropped halfway. It could be because the women could not leave their children during the trial.
“Currently, we are looking at building a one-stop or an integrated centre for the victims. An alternative accommodation for them to feel safe and secure to report harassment and domestic violence cases."
Fazila also said that the mindset of the people needed to be shaped in order for boys and girls to be raised equally.
Palestine governor (Ramallah and Al-Bireh) Dr. Laila Ghannam said the Palestinian women were given equal opportunities to help politics and development of the country.
Dr. Laila said that the partnership between women and men in the government and political parties was strong and equal.
“Given the current situation in Palestine, we have an equal role in helping the government. Around 50 per cent of Palestinian women have careers in various fields.
“We are living in a unique situation but the women back home are highly intelligent and resilient. I hope to share our ideas and wish to take our experience in Malaysia and hope to use it in developing ideas to empower women in our country and in the world. "
She added that given her role as the first female governor in Palestine and as a Muslim leader, she had to be open minded and advised women to acknowledge that they also have a vital role in their country.