00:00 2.7%! I was just astounded when I read the statistics.
00:04 Yes, correct.
00:05 Well, the access to justice for women. So I'm speaking more about my own...
00:10 Equality in Malaysia, in the law, is guaranteed in our constitution.
00:16 Our journey towards gender equality remains a marathon.
00:21 It's a good reminder for all of us. Not a sprint.
00:25 The imperative to diversify women's roles and ensure equitable representation
00:33 in all spheres of society demands sustained vigilance and concerted action.
00:41 So ladies and gentlemen, looking into the representation of women in decision-making roles
00:47 beyond the legal field, in the realm of politics, it's concerning to note that
00:55 I know it's very important to YP Teriza, and not just her, of course, to all the MPs,
01:01 it's concerning to note that the presence of women in the Dewan Rakyat
01:06 falls short of the 30% mark in each general election.
01:11 This needs to change. We also see a lack of women in top management positions
01:18 in both public and private universities, as well as in NGOs.
01:23 Referring to those in Dewan Rakyat, actually, this is the political system in the country.
01:32 Even though you place as many representatives or candidates in the elections,
01:38 people in Malaysia, they vote for the party. They don't vote for female candidates.
01:44 Regardless whether the female candidate is their relative, if it is not belonging to the party that they support,
01:52 then that's where we cannot get the numbers that we want.
01:55 So this requires a big pressure, especially on those in politics,
02:03 because we need to have the leaders to really understand this.
02:09 Because this will either require a change in the constitution or the party constitution,
02:17 but all must be understood by the various parties in the country,
02:21 and they must agree with what arrangements they want to make,
02:26 so that we can achieve at least 30%, so that women will go against other women,
02:31 and at least you still have a woman to win. So 30% seats for the women.
02:36 We have been talking about this long ago, right, Teresa?
02:39 We have been mentioning this, but it doesn't work.
02:42 So the women have to get together and be strong.
02:45 You have to work as a team, not just a party.
02:49 So if all the parties agree to this, and not to be controlled by a particular group in the party,
02:56 then inshallah, we can do it.
02:58 And currently we have more than 50% women lawyers in the Malaysian Bar.
03:03 I checked the data yesterday. In Parliament, we have 222 MPs, Dewan Rakyat, 28 are women.
03:14 That means it's 13.5%. It is actually lower than last term.
03:21 Last term I think we had something close to 14.8 or 14.9%.
03:25 For my party, we have 8 women MPs. For DAP, we have a total of 40.
03:35 8 are women, so we have 20%.
03:40 So this topic, I think for people like Hani, and women's groups,
03:46 we have been talking so many times how to increase the women's participation in politics,
03:52 or to be elected as MPs.
03:55 I must say that under the current system, it is not possible.
04:01 It is not even possible to reach 20% in the near future,
04:06 if we don't change our current election law, election system.
04:12 Because for those countries that can reach 40% women and so on,
04:17 normally these countries, they practice, they implement a party list.
04:22 That means you have to win the seat, then the party put in the candidates.
04:27 That is how they can control to have 50% women and so on.
04:33 So I think this is not a forum for us to discuss the changing of election law.
04:39 We should talk about it, but to the detail, to look at it is another issue.
04:45 But my suggestion is, I encourage women lawyers, many of you are here,
04:50 to join political parties.
04:53 You can choose the parties that you think are suitable for you.
04:57 And also I must say that for those who can survive in political parties,
05:05 you don't think that you are a lawyer, means you are somebody with a PhD,
05:10 then that means you will climb up the ladder, the staircase.
05:14 No, you have to work hard.
05:16 We women, I think most of you here, you can work very hard.
05:22 If you want to be successful in your legal career, or you want to be in politics,
05:27 be prepared to spend time, you know, to be one with your supporters,
05:33 with your grassroots people on the ground, then only you can survive longer.
05:40 Thank you.
05:41 [Music]
05:52 [Silence]
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