By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 16 — The Selangor Women Assembly (Siwanis) has proposed a bold initiative to ensure 50 per cent female representation in politics during its 2024 sitting held at the State Legislative Assembly today.
The day-long simulation programme, which ran from 8am to 5.30pm, brought together 56 participants from across all state constituencies to deliberate on critical issues, with a particular focus on women's political participation and the impact of rising living costs on vulnerable communities.
Siwanis’ proposal aims to address the persistent gender imbalance in political representation, urging the state government to consider concrete measures to achieve gender equality in political leadership.
The programme serves as a unique platform designed to cultivate high-quality female leadership, providing participants with comprehensive exposure to policy-making processes and gender-sensitive issues.
Prior to the assembly, participants underwent a rigorous selection process by the state-run women empowerment organisation, Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS).
WBS received 118 applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, with each candidate subjected to interviews and public speaking assessments.
The selection process was highly competitive, with 56 delegates ultimately chosen to participate in the simulation and appointed as executive committee members.
A series of preparatory workshops equipped the participants with insights into the intricacies of policy development and the critical role of gender considerations in political decision-making.
