MALAYSIA WOMEN'S SUMMIT STRIVES TO IMPROVE LIVES

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000720 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR S/GWI AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA WOMEN'S SUMMIT STRIVES TO IMPROVE LIVES OF WOMEN ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Comment: At Malaysia's August 18 "Women's Summit 2009," Women's Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil called for placing more women in decision-making positions, while Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin asserted that their was no difference between men and women under Islam. The summit attracted over 1,000 participants, including a U.S. speaker from the Dell Global Business Center. Ambassador Keith attended, as did representatives from many other embassies. For next year,s summit, in August, Post recommends Department consider formal USG participation from Washington. End Summary and Comment. ¶2. (SBU) The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has been hosting an annual summit on women's issues since 2003, in conjunction with the National Women's day celebrations every August. The brainchild of the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the main objective is to explore issues and top management concerns facing Malaysian women in business and the workplace; to develop an action agenda to optimize women's skills and management expertise for national development; and to provide policy input. (Note: Minister Shahrizat was also responsible for successfully pushing for a constitutional amendment barring gender discrimination in August 2001. End Note). This year's summit was held on August 18 with the participation of 1,000 delegates from all over the world. Ambassador Keith attended the summit at the invitation of the Minister. ¶3. (SBU) In her address themed "Can Women turn adversity into opportunity?", Minister Shahrizat identified four major adversities facing women in Malaysia today: the repercussions of the recession; work-life balance; the gender gap; and violence against women. She pointed out that women have been hardest hit by the current global economic downturn in Malaysia. As of March 2009, nearly 51 percent of the 19,224 local workers laid off were women, although they only amount to 36 percent of the total labor force. She also urged companies and organizations to make necessary changes in the working environment that would change the mindset and promote "shared family responsibility between the husbands and wives." Due to this lack in work-life balance in Malaysia, the country slipped to 96th place from the 92nd place (in the previous year) in the World Economic Forum's "The Global Gender Gap Report 2008," a clear indication that that women in Malaysia are still underrepresented at the higher levels of corporate and political life, despite women outperforming men at universities and colleges. The Minister said her Ministry is currently putting together an Action Plan "to fast track women into decision-making positions in both the public and private sectors." On the margins of the conference, Minister Shahrizat told the Ambassador that she was pleased at the strong support her ministry was receiving from PM Najib's office. ¶4. (U) Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Muhyiddin Yassin, who officiated the opening of the summit, acknowledged that there is still a need to further improve the participation of women at decision-making levels in both the public and private sectors, and for a more gender-responsive and just society. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the government has embarked in policies that stress the partnership of both women and men in rebuilding the "nation with strength and integrity." In this context, Muhyiddin stated "in Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women" and that the Koran "admonishes those men who oppress or ill treat women." DPM Muhyiddin pointed out that the GOM has agreed that women should hold 30 percent of senior positions in the public sector and wants the private sector to emulate this policy. The Minister added that although women holding higher positions in the private sector increased gradually from 14 percent in 2004 to 26 percent in 2008, their representation in the board of companies declined from 10 percent in 2004 to 6 percent in ¶2008. Furthermore, only 12 percent of women hold top positions in government-linked companies. He welcomed Minister Shahrizat's Action Plan to fast track women to decision-making positions. He also stated that the government has drawn up numerous policies to create a more conducive and family friendly working environment to ensure women continue to work despite family responsibilities. Muhyiddin, who is also the Minister of Education, stressed that "promoting gender justice and women's empowerment are not only essential to our economic development, but also a great leap forward in nation building." KEITH