CYBERJAYA: A working paper on the reform of the electoral system which suggests at least 30 per cent female participation in the next General Election (GE) will be tabled in the Cabinet, said a woman cabinet minister.
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said various discussions and dialogue sessions with agencies and related parties such as the Election Commission (EC) was being held regarding the proposed participation of 30 per cent women in the general election.
“Programmes and workshops are held to see how our policies will move from the current electoral system to a system that allows more women to contest,” she told reporters after attending the ‘Women Fest Conference 2019 – Women and Girls in Science’ programme here on Tuesday.
Zuraidah, who is also PKR vice-president, had previously proposed changes in the national electoral system, including calling for a quota of 30 per cent of the electoral seats be allocated to women candidates.
Zuraida further said that several studies have shown that gender diversity ‘and female participation will contribute to six per cent of gross domestic product, adding that the government will remain committed to enhancing the participation of women in leadership positions in line with the 30 per cent target set. – Bernama
