KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Nov 2008: A caucus of women members of parliament (MPs) wants the 30% quota for women to hold high posts in the public and private sectors to be implemented immediately.
Its chairperson, Nancy Shukri, said this would be the main cause of struggle for the country’s 23 women MPs, besides the problem of sexual harassment of women.
“This caucus was formed on 17 July after realising that there were many issues involving women that needed to be raised and addressed,” she told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
She said the women’s caucus made it easier for women-related matters to be brought up in Parliament.
Nancy, who is also Batang Sadong MP, said a small committee called the Gender Equality Committee would be formed to allow male MPs to join the caucus.
“Women’s issues are varied and do not only involve women,” she said.
The caucus is chaired by Nancy, with Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) as deputy chair and Norah Abdul Rahman (BN-Tanjong Manis) as secretary. — Bernama
