By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, May 31 — The state government has launched the Selangor Women's Policy and Action Plan 2024-2026 to empower women in the state.
Selangor is a pioneer in implementing such a comprehensive action plan which focuses on the group’s well-being and enhancing their capabilities.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said one of the policy’s primary objectives is to develop sustainable gender equality, with the state setting a benchmark in line with international standards.
During the policy's drafting, the state administration placed greater emphasis on uplifting women by honing their leadership skills, among others.
He said the empowerment of women should not only be merely to fill up the 30 per cent quota target in various programmes and decision-making roles.
“When it comes to programmes involving women’s participation, they normally include activities like beading or cooking lessons.
“However, the state government has improved, especially in the previous term, where activities involving women now emphasise quality and functionality,” Amirudin said in his officiating speech at the Shah Alam Convention Centre today.
Adding that women constitute 50 per cent of Selangor’s seven million population today, the Menteri Besar said the plan will ensure the public's perception of fairness and justice toward women.
The policy and action plan consist of seven main objectives, four of which are promoting a gender-sensitive framework; improving the socio-economic status and autonomy of marginalised women; accelerating women's participation, representation, and decision-making; and bridging the gender gap in education and the labour market.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said that while the newly launched plan is inspired by the state’s previous Selangor Women Policy 2017-2020, the government has included several improvements.
"There are assessments and improvements made from the previous policy," she said at a press conference after the event.
[caption id="attachment_358903" align="aligncenter" width="1007"]
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari delivers her speech during the launch of the Selangor Women's Policy and Action Plan 2024-2026 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, Shah Alam, on May 31, 2024. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
