Updated 6:55pm, 28 Nov 2008
SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov 2008: There should be more representation for women in the top leadership level of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
PKR Wanita chief Zuraida KamaruddinTo this end, Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said the wing will propose having an extra vice-presidency slot in the parent body strictly for women.
This vice-president post should be open to all women in the party to contest, she suggested during her policy speech in the 5th PKR National Wanita Congress held in Shah Alam today.
Currently, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Zuraida are the only two women sitting at the presidential level of the party. This level is made up of the party president, deputy and five vice-presidents, as well as Wanita and Youth chief.
“So, we need another woman leader in the presidential level to achieve the target of 30% women participation at all decision-making levels,” said Zuraida to The Nut Graph after her speech.
The 30% target of women representation at all level of decision-making process was one of three resolutions passed by the Wanita Congress today.
According to Zuraida, the participation of women at the top leadership now stands at 23%, and she believes the party will be able to reach the 30% target in 2010, when the next party elections are held.
She said the party unable to reach the target of 30% as they have yet to groom and train enough number of women with calibre to lead the party.
The other resolutions are asking the Selangor state government to lead the way forward in improving women’s lot by forming a Special Council for Pakatan Rakyat Women in the state.
“This effort must be continued with the formation of a Special Council for Pakatan Rakyat Women in all Pakatan Rakyat states in order to change the climate of development and empower women,” said the resolution.
The third resolution asked for the setting up of a task force to ensure that women have access to government and private sector resource and allocations to allow them to take part in mainstream economic development.
It called for the amendment of policies to ensure women enjoy at least 30% of economic development in the form of financial aid, public and private services.
Three resolutions were passed unanimously by the 320 delegates. 
