International Women's Day- where are we today?

This year the International Women's Day will be celebrated across the world on March 8 with its theme – Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030. At the 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations, the issue of women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work will be debated.

Have we achieved the status of 50-50 in the workforce, government and as well as private sector in Malaysia? If not, can we achieve it by 2030? What about discrimination and prejudice against women in the workforce? What about the managerial position for women? These are some pertinent questions regarding the issue of gender equality.

Women are the other half of the human population. Women and men are like two wings of humanity. Inequality would surely hamper the flight of humankind to lofty heights of progress and development.

According to government statistics, we have about 50% of women in the civil service workforce. This means the other half are men. At the managerial position, women take up 35.65% of top level management posts in the government. According to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, there are 1,419 women at the top level management. This statistics show that the government is serious about gender equality.

Ali said measures would be taken to empower female leadership in the country's development, particularly towards making the 2050 National Transformation a reality. We also appreciate the government's stand in increasing the number of women in the workforce, including managerial positions in the years to come.

The story in the private sector is rather disappointing. Still it is a male-dominated sector. Women have also been severely discriminated in the workforce in the private sector. Despite having the credits and qualifications, women are always sidelined in jobs as more promotional positions are given to the men.

To cite an example, my daughter who works in the private sector has always been prejudiced and sidelined when she attends interviews for promotions, despite having better qualifications. Gender prejudice brings damaging effects not only to women but to society at large. Inequality also retards not only the advancement of women but the progress of civilisation itself.

Some private companies are dominated by men and by a certain ethnic group only. Men and women from other ethnic groups are not accepted in such companies. Even when the promotional post is advertised, it is outright discrimination when it states that only the selected ethnic group can apply for such posts.

We are a nation with many ethnic groups. We are all Malaysians and why should parochial ideas dominate the private sector. Jobs should be given to men or women, according to merit and qualification for the post, not based on gender or ethnicity.

There needs to be a new understanding to reshape our society based on gender equality.

All forms of discrimination should be discarded in the workforce, whether in the government or private society. Discrimination against women still remains the most widespread injustice in the world.

Women: The Other Half of Men

Every year on 8^th March, the International Day of Women is observed and celebrated all over the world, including in Malaysia. This year’s celebration’s theme is “A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to end Violence.

International Day of Women has been observed since 1900’s.  In commemorating the International Day of Women, let us take some moments to ponder on the significance of the Day. This is a Day dedicated to reminisce the services, sacrifices, and contributions of women to mankind.  

Outstanding women have emerged all over the world and contributed significantly to the advancement of humankind. In Malaysia too, we had and have extraordinary women who have played major role in the development of our young and budding nation.  We salute all the women for their share in the advancement of our nation.

As advocated in this year’s theme, let us all to do all the best possible to end violence against women. Besides, assure the rights of women in the political, economic and social and family life as this is crucial to the progress of human civilization.

Women and men have been and always been equal in the sight of God.  It is said the world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.

In the past, there was a notion that woman and man were not equal -- that is to say, woman was considered inferior to man. She was even considered especially inferior in intelligence, and the idea prevailed universally that women was not allowed to step into the arena of important affairs. But in this century of light, humanity has emerged out of this ignorance and error, and has accepted the emancipation of women.

The conditions in past centuries were due to woman's lack of opportunity. She was denied the right and privilege of education and left in her undeveloped state. Today, women have excelled in education. In Malaysia more women at the tertiary institutions compared to men. They form the majority of work force in the country, from the bottom to top positions. Can this be translated as emancipation of women in our nation?

I believe much more should be done to treat women as equal partners in life and society at large. In fact, in some respects woman is superior to man. She is more tender-hearted, more receptive; her intuition is more intense compared to man.

The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmate of the other.

At this juncture, let us wish all our mothers, wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, friends, colleagues, and ALL women, a Happy International Women’s Day 2013. May they all be free from all kinds’ prejudices, violence and lead a life much better than yesterday.  

Women

I am what I am because of you

Women are just like one of the wings of a bird, that together with their other half, soar towards success and prosperity in the world.

Not until our women have achieved equal success in the world of men, can we say equality between men and women has been achieved.

Among outstanding women are Anita Sarawak, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Datuk Nicole David, Teresa Kok, Wan Zaleha Radzi, and the late Yasmin Ahmad.

Truly, women like them play a very significant role alongside men to make our nation proud.

We marvel at their contributions in various walks of life – broadcasting, entertainment, law, politics, science and technology, and sports.

Besides, we have many outstanding women academicians in our nation: Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim, Prof Tan Sri Sharifah Habsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, and many more.

Allow me to wax lyrical on my admiration for Dr Nik Safiah, my mentor at Universiti Malaya.

A Malay language expert, she wrote more than 30 books and hundreds of research papers and articles throughout her academic career.

Though retired many years ago, she is still engaged as a Guest Researcher at the Malay Academy Studies, Universiti Malaya.

An excellent academician, she had nurtured many good students.

She was a friendly, down to earth, humble lecturer who motivated her students to achieve excellence in studies and in life.

Dr Nik Safiah is passionate about championing women’s developments and rights and is actively engaged in the National Council of Women’s Organisations, Majlis Perunding Wanita Islam Malaysia, and the Women’s Graduate Council.

As we commemorate the 100th Year of International Women’s Day, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr Nik Safiah and all other women who have been instrumental in my success in life.

I am what I am today because of all of you. Thank you, all of you.