GEORGE TOWN, August 17 – An important aspect that has come into focus during the recent state elections is the reduced number of women candidates fielded by various political parties. The state of Penang witnessed a decline in women’s representation in this electoral cycle, reflecting a broader trend that requires attention. In the state of Penang, the breakdown of women candidates across parties was as follows: DAP fielded four women out of 19 candidates, Barisan Nasional fielded one woman out of 6 candidates, PKR fielded one woman out of 13 candidates, Gerakan fielded one woman out of 19 candidates, and Muda fielded three women candidates.
The final polling results on August 12 revealed that the Pakatan Harapan – Barisan Nasional coalition secured 29 out of 40 seats, with only 4 women representatives (10%). This drop in women’s representation signifies a setback compared to the previous elections held in 2018, where Penang boasted 15% women representatives in the state assembly. Aligned with the state’s Gender Inclusiveness Policy, the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), a government-linked company, has been consistently advocating for a minimum of 30% women representation in decision-making roles.
This approach aims to achieve a critical mass, ensuring that women’s voices and needs are well-represented while continuing to promote gender inclusiveness within the state. Given that women constitute 50% of the population, it is imperative to ensure their equal participation in politics and decision-making processes. Achieving this goal demands a collective effort from all stakeholders, including political parties. To level the playing field, there is a hope that the future will witness more women assuming positions as state assemblypersons and Executive Councillors within the state government.
This moment also serves as an opportunity to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to the women candidates who emerged victorious in the recent state elections. It is our trust that these individuals will persistently champion women’s agendas and inspire more women to step forward and become future leaders in the political landscape.
