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The recent AccelerateHER Leadership Lab, held on May 5-6, 2024, in Alor Setar, Kedah, brought together 18 women political leaders from Kedah, Perak, and Perlis, from across the political divide. Organised by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Malaysia and the Institut Pemikiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (IPDM) of Universiti Utara Malaysia, this leadership lab comprised of 3 modules that were designed to elevate participants' capacity in networking and negotiations while also emphasising the importance of self-empowerment.
One of the resounding takeaways of the lab was the repeated calls to implement and strengthen policies that promote women's political participation and leadership in Malaysia. This is in line with KAS Malaysia's 2023 research findings on 'Challenges for Women in Political Parties in Malaysia and Acceleration Strategies to Leadership in Politics,' authored by Associate Professor Dr. Ummu Atiyah Ahmad Zakuan. Participants emphasized the need to recognize women's contributions and to combat gendered discrimination within political spheres, which have been a reality for women in politics for far too long. A key proposal that came out of discussions on strategies for promoting women's leadership was the unanimous call for a 30% quota implementation in federal and state government elections.
"Pakatan Harapan's (PH) Indera Kayangan State Assembly Person Gan Ay Ling stressed that the quota should not merely be a policy agreed upon by political parties but should be legally enforced to empower female leaders."
Former Barisan Nasional (BN) State Assemblyperson Jamilah Zakaria added that "women leaders should not only be judged based on their appearance but rather for our intellect, knowledge, extensive networks, and excellent communication skills. Unfortunately, in most states, women's participation does not exceed 30 per cent."
Kedah Puteri UMNO Chief Nuraini Yusoff stressed that the fight for better women's representation must be a collective effort across all parties. "The minimum 30 per cent quota has yet to be attained, and, in fact, women's representation in politics has dwindled based on recent election results," she added.
At large, the participants emphasised that such a quota system is not about tokenism but about creating genuine opportunities for women to lead and contribute meaningfully. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring that women are not given "sure-lose" seats but are instead supported in competitive constituencies where they have a real chance of winning based on merit and capability.
Speaking of the importance in having women's voices in leadership roles, Perikatan Nasional's (PN) State Assemblyperson Shamsilah Siru shared that, "women shouldn't have to fight for this; only they truly understand the issues faced by women. For example, in social and marital matters, divorce, and so on, often require the gentle touch and understanding that only women possess."
This call for action reflects a growing awareness and determination among women leaders to break barriers and drive positive change. It aligns with global efforts to achieve gender equality in leadership positions and to create more inclusive political environments.
The AccelerateHER Leadership Lab served as a platform for these voices to be heard and amplified. It marked a significant step forward in advancing women's representation and influence in Malaysian politics. As the momentum continues, it is clear that women leaders are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of governance and policymaking in the country.
See New Straits Times's interview with AccelerateHER participants and organisers: "Female leaders call for a stronger push towards 30 per cent women's quota."
