KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) was disappointed that women continue to be under-represented in the new cabinet line-up.
In a statement here today, it said only 15.6 per cent of ministers in the cabinet lineup were women.
“With the way the government was formed, talking about representation seems hollow. We are disappointed to see that women continue to be under-represented.”
“The Rakyat had voted for reforms. In the past two years, various reforms have been developed and were close to being tabled in Parliament.
“The new Cabinet must now tell us how they intend to continue these efforts.”
The statement highlighted reforms which included the Sexual Harassment Act and the Gender Equality Act, led by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry under the previous cabinet; the introduction of 7-day paternity leave and anti-discrimination provisions in the Employment Act under previous Human Resources; as well as the enactment of anti-stalking laws previously led by the Law Minister’s Office.
WAO demanded that these reforms, which would improve the lives of millions of Malaysian women, to be continued.