KUCHING: Sarawak Women For Women Society (SWWS) hopes voters will see the 15th general election (GE15) as an opportunity to promote gender equality.
Its president Angie Garet said that while some would be encouraged to note that there are 127 women candidates nationwide, this is still a small fraction of the 945 total candidates.
“Women are nowhere near half. Why? Voters should ask the candidates what they will do to enable women to advance to leadership positions.
“Overlooking women of merit is not confined to political parties – it is there in employment opportunities too and society’s old fashioned attitude towards women. This needs to change,” she said in a statement today (Nov 7).
Added Angie: “Part of the problem is how women are criticised when they move into the world beyond their homes, which is a double standard.
“Men are not admonished for the language they use nor are comments made on their marital or parental status.
“It is assumed they can handle their work and family commitments but women are questioned. This also shows many policymakers do not understand the needs of women or treat them as equal citizens.”
She also pointed out that women have the power to vote and should use it to support candidates who support their cause.
Women will have diverse views and characters but generally women understand important issues better such as equal opportunities free of abuse, investment in health, education, social protection, social services and the cost of living, she said.
“We want candidates, men and women, who will uphold gender equality as stated in the Federal Constitution and provide resources to monitor the recently passed Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (2022).
“Take the necessary action so that the issue of children who suffered learning loss, due to school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, is addressed with special attention being given to those who are struggling or have dropped out of education.
“We also want candidates to provide accessible health care by promising to give all-party support to the postponed Health White Paper to set up a Health Reform Commission with a brief to plan decentralisation of health care and more primary health care.
“This is so crucial to Sarawak with our widely dispersed population and high poverty levels making equitable universal health care challenging to achieve,” Angie said.
The association also called for take action to deal with applications for citizenship by non-documented people in Sarawak.
“SWWS calls on all to exercise their votes wisely so that the federal services which play such an important role in our lives – be it education, health, police and to a considerable extent social welfare – meeting the needs of our state.
“We also urge all those who will be elected on the Nov 19 to give the above issues priority and ensure Sarawak’s voice is heard in Putrajaya.”
