Asean leaders push for women's bigger role in nation-building

New Straits Times

26-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have called for greater involvement of women in the region's nation-building efforts, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Speaking at a press conference today, he said Malaysian women had made significant strides in certain sectors, particularly the public service and education.
"Women account for more than 50 per cent of the workforce in the public and education sectors, and at universities, female students significantly outnumber their male counterparts," he added.
Johari was addressing the media following the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) interface chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
However, despite this progress, Johari said that women's representation in other areas, especially politics, remained limited compared to several other countries.
"This is an area where we aim to make progress — by increasing the participation of young women and encouraging them to be more active," he added.
The interface, held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit, reaffirmed the strong commitment of Asean member states and Aipa parliaments to deepening cooperation in building an inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred Asean.
In a separate statement, the Parliament office said that Aipa recognised the importance of empowering all segments of society, with particular focus on women and youth.
It said recent engagements — including the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa (Waipa) and the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa (YPA) — reinforced the need for gender-balanced representation and forward-looking policies to strengthen the region.
On the economic and environmental front, Aipa stressed the importance of enhanced legislative support to accelerate digital integration, promote sustainable technological infrastructure, and encourage green finance and investment.
It welcomed ongoing initiatives such as the Asean Digital Integration Framework and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling non-traditional security challenges including climate change, food security, and energy resilience.
In line with the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Aipa reiterated its firm support for peace, respect for international law, and regional stability. It called for continued dialogue and diplomacy to address geopolitical challenges in areas such as Myanmar, the South China Sea, Gaza, and Ukraine.
Aipa members of parliament also urged governments and legislatures to move forward in unity towards building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Asean, where development is equitable and all voices contribute to shaping the region's shared future.