empowerment of women

Malaysia’s love for female leaders only goes so far — Lynda Lim

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Source: Asia & the Pacific Policy Society

BY LYNDA LIM

Support for women’s leadership must extend beyond the public and corporate sectors  ~ Lynda Lim

If Malaysia is serious about promoting women’s empowerment, it needs to support female leaders in civil society, Lynda Lim writes.

The Malaysian Government says it is committed to promoting women in decision-making positions. A key element of this commitment is the government’s target of having women fill at least 30 per cent of decision-making roles in both the public and corporate sector. This focus on maximising economic outcomes placing women in leadership positions is a fairly orthodox, and restrictive, way to view the goal of women’s empowerment and leadership.

A review of policies put in place signalled that a “business case approach to women’s empowerment and gender equality has become the dominant discourse through which gender equality claims are justified”. Such perspectives present gender equality claims as only valid if they fit within the market logic.

Engaging in conversation about women’s leadership in the public and private sector is of critical importance. At the same time, we must question whether and how these conversations tend to revert towards a “business case” justification for gender equality in the public and corporate sector, with diminished support for women in civil society. Read more →

Khairy: Misogyny a hindrance to becoming developed nation

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 ― A misogynistic society is a hindrance to becoming a developed nation, youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said.

In a Transformation Nasional 2050 (TN50) dialogue session last night, Khairy also spoke about the time social media trolls had mercilessly attacked national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi for the leotard she wore instead of her twin gold medal wins.

“It was not the gold medal they were talking about. It was her leotard. I mean come on, what the hell did you expect her to wear? We are talking about rhythmic gymnastics here.

“It’s the same kind of attitude that you see on Facebook, on social media. Trying to tell women what to wear, not in a nice way. It’s in a way which says if you’re wearing  this, you’re going to go to hell. Excuse me, who made you God? These are the things we need to confront,” Khairy told the dialogue titled TN50: Wanita Pemacu Negara. Read more →