Women’s representation in parliaments

‘Traditional mindset main problem’

Dr Dato Noraini Ahmad, chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), yesterday said that a traditional mindset is the biggest challenge to achieving a minimum of 30 per cent women’s representation in parliaments of the Commonwealth countries.“There are 180 parliaments in 52 nations of the Commonwealth. Some of these parliaments have no or little women representation. At least 12 parliaments don’t have any women representation, while over 140  are yet to achieve a 30 per cent women representation,” she said. Dr Ahmad was speaking at a press conference after holding a day-long in-camera meeting of the CWP at Hotel Radisson in the capital. Segufta Yesmin Emili, MP, and Fazilatunnessa Bappi, MP, among others, were present. “Participation of women in parliaments and the decision-making process is still a great challenge. We want to achieve the target. We would like to facilitate proportionate development of women members in Commonwealth countries,” said Dr Ahmad.

“We want to bring more women to parliaments. We want to involve them in the decision-making process and formulation of laws. Half of the global population are women. It’s not possible to usher in global development if women are left behind,” she added.

Dr Ahmad emphasised the importance of research work to increase women’s participation in parliaments. She, however, said there has been some progress in women being directly elected to the parliament. “But we are still not happy. We have to achieve the minimum target of 30 per cent women’s participation,” she added.

“Women face a lot of challenges. We are mothers, daughters, wives, and at the same time, we hold positions of parliamentarians. We are capable of performing all these jobs. Well, I’m not saying that men are not doing their jobs well. If women are given a chance, they can do even better,” she said. Dr Ahmad also said that the traditional mindset of leaders has to change. “However, the situation is changing. We’ve undertaken education programmes to educate young people, including women, for active participation in politics,” she added.

 

Womens representation in parliaments

Traditional mindset main problem

Dr Dato Noraini Ahmad, chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), yesterday said that a traditional mindset is the biggest challenge to achieving a minimum of 30 per cent womens representation in parliaments of the Commonwealth countries.There are 180 parliaments in 52 nations of the Commonwealth. Some of these parliaments have no or little women representation. At least 12 parliaments dont have any women representation, while over 140 are yet to achieve a 30 per cent women representation, she said. Dr Ahmad was speaking at a press conference after holding a day-long in-camera meeting of the CWP at Hotel Radisson in the capital. Segufta Yesmin Emili, MP, and Fazilatunnessa Bappi, MP, among others, were present. Participation of women in parliaments and the decision-making process is still a great challenge. We want to achieve the target. We would like to facilitate proportionate development of women members in Commonwealth countries, said Dr Ahmad. We want to bring more women to parliaments. We want to involve them in the decision-making process and formulation of laws. Half of the global population are women. Its not possible to usher in global development if women are left behind, she added. Dr Ahmad emphasised the importance of research work to increase womens participation in parliaments. She, however, said there has been some progress in women being directly elected to the parliament. But we are still not happy. We have to achieve the minimum target of 30 per cent womens participation, she added. Women face a lot of challenges. We are mothers, daughters, wives, and at the same time, we hold positions of parliamentarians. We are capable of performing all these jobs. Well, Im not saying that men are not doing their jobs well. If women are given a chance, they can do even better, she said. Dr Ahmad also said that the traditional mindset of leaders has to change. However, the situation is changing. Weve undertaken education programmes to educate young people, including women, for active participation in politics, she added.