BUTTERWORTH: The government, the private sector and non-state actors should come together to jointly create a conducive environment that would encourage more women to join the workforce.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the government’s target is to have women comprise 30 per cent of the decision making positions, especially in the private sector, by 2030.
To date, there are already 54.7 per cent women in the workforce, with the target of 59 per cent by 2020.
However, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said she understands the obstacles faced by women (especially mothers) which prevent them from having a career.
“Of course, we hope to meet the 30 per cent target as soon as possible. It will be even better if we could reach 50 per cent.
“As such, all the three stakeholders – the government, the private sector and non-state actors – must collaborate to provide women-friendly environments to allow more women to enter the workforce and contribute to society. (Measures include) providing flexi-hours, for instance.
“This is our commitment and we will tackle and solve the issues effectively,” she told a press conference here today.
Dr Wan Azizah was met after presenting her keynote address at the Women in Economy Conference – Rethinking Entrepreneurship for Today’s Women.
Organised by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), the event was launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Dr Wan Azizah said that to begin the process of increasing women’s participation in decision making positions, all government departments and agencies should utilise whatever allocations they have to set up daycare centres in their respective offices by Jan 1, next year.
In her keynote address, Dr Wan Azizah said barely a generation ago, women were expected to be homemakers.
“Today, I stand in front of all of you, the movers and shakers of the business world, as well as politics. We have come a long way and there is more to be done.
“May 9, this year, witnessed a milestone moment that brought us into a new era. There are many expectations that are associated with this new era, which has been given the moniker ‘Malaysia Baharu’ or New Malaysia.
“The government and private sector have always been the two main pillars of the country’s development approach. This has its limitations.
“Over the years, however, we have seen a growth in the role of non-state actors in filling the vacuum.
“Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), individual volunteers, local communities as well as social enterprises have emerged to provide services to the marginalised segments of society.
“We believe that these non-state actors are in fact important for the future of the country. They are driven by altruism and the desire to help others, and are nimbler than state bureaucracies.
“The Fajr Doctrine envisions a future when non-state actors will become the third pillar of development. It envisions a future where the government and the private sector work together with non-state actors to catch those who fall through the cracks as we pursue development and growth,” she added.