Kota Kinabalu: It is time for more female talents to propel Sabah forward, said Margeret Chung, noting that many men over 70 still want to stand for elections.
She said the male-dominated leadership has, in the view of many, failed to realize Sabah’s full potential.
“Gender equity is not just an ideal concept but as a collective responsibility, with the potential to positively reshape societies and cultures,” she said.
She recalled that more than two years ago, IDS Sabah hosted UUM College of Law senior lecturer Dr Ummu Atiyah to address “Breaking Barriers: Promoting Legal Framework for Youth and Young Women in Politics”.
Dr Ummu noted there is under-representation of women and youth in the Sabah political landscape.
She said there was a need for operational frameworks, extending beyond laws and intentions, to establish a just and inclusive society.
At the same event, Dr Jimisiah binti Jaafar, the Director of the Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership (CWAL) narrated on the collaborative initiatives forged between CWAL and Malaysia Madani authorities within the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 framework with “increased women’s participation in decision-making roles and overall community empowerment and well-being.”
Datuk Dr Tarsiah TZ Taman called for “equal representation, increased women’s political participation that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and advancements in gender equality, in leadership positions.”
She called for “collaborative efforts across the federal and state governments, civil society, education institutions and media to foster an environment conducive to women’s political involvement, promoting the integration of a gender perspective into all aspects of governance”.
As Sabah approaches its 17th State Election, expectations are high among the electorate.
Recommendations include advocating for gender quotas, encouraging political parties to support female candidates, investing in training programmes, and continuing collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders.
.jpg)
