PETALING JAYA: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri wants women empowerment initiatives to be redoubled so that women do not get left behind in facing economic and social challenges.
She said many women face the dilemma of whether to continue their careers or sacrifice their jobs to fulfil their responsibilities to their families.
"Although women dominate men in universities, only 56.2% of the female population is employed, compared to 81.9% of men.
"Women in the 30 to 39 age group are more likely to leave their jobs permanently due to family commitments," she said during her speech at the International Women's Day Celebration 2024, held here Friday (March 8) night.
Also present at the celebration were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, and Cabinet members.
Nancy said that women aged 60 years old and above constitute the majority of recipients of financial assistance from the government because they do not have economic safety nets.
Furthermore, she said the World Bank reported this week that if all economic barriers for women were removed, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could increase by as much as 20%. - Bernama
