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Women not just party machinery, need chances to contest: PKR
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia /Elections & Politics

Women not just party machinery, need chances to contest: PKR

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The PKR Women's wing chief called for women to be given opportunities to contest elections, not just serve as party machinery.
  • The party aims to increase women's participation in leadership to at least 30%.
  • A campaign was launched to raise awareness about violence and threats faced by women in politics.

Women in Malaysia's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) should be given the chance to run for elections and prove their ability to win, rather than being confined to serving as party machinery. Fadhlina Sidek, the chief of PKR Women, emphasized the need to strengthen women's political leadership to meet the target of at least 30% representation in leadership positions.

There are debates today demanding 30% women's leadership roles, and this must continue to be the core of Wanita Keadilan's struggle.

โ€” Fadhlina SidekHighlighting the party's commitment to increasing women's leadership.

These points were raised during the 19th Annual PKR Women's National Congress held in Melaka. "There are debates today demanding 30% women's leadership roles, and this must continue to be the core of Wanita Keadilan's struggle," Sidek told reporters. "Certainly, involvement should not just be as machinery, but also by fielding candidates who need to be brought forward to ensure this party sends women candidates to contest and win elections."

Certainly, involvement should not just be as machinery, but also by fielding candidates who need to be brought forward to ensure this party sends women candidates to contest and win elections.

โ€” Fadhlina SidekAdvocating for women to be nominated as candidates for elections.

The congress also served as a platform for the party to reflect on recent democratic processes in Negeri Sembilan and Johor. "We are doing a very important reflection, witnessing that the role of women must continue to be strengthened," Sidek said. "Our service to women and the people, especially, must be expedited and continue to focus on people's issues."

We are doing a very important reflection, witnessing that the role of women must continue to be strengthened.

โ€” Fadhlina SidekReflecting on the importance of women's roles in politics.

Additionally, PKR Women launched the "Stop Violence Against Women in Politics" campaign during the congress. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the threats and violence, including cyber harassment, physical intimidation, and psychological attacks, that women politicians face. "This campaign is to bring awareness to all women activists and politicians who face various forms of threats," Sidek stated, noting that Malaysia currently lacks a detailed mechanism to analyze such data.

This campaign is to bring awareness to all women activists and politicians who face various forms of threats.

โ€” Fadhlina SidekExplaining the purpose of the 'Stop Violence Against Women in Politics' campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.