PUTRAJAYA: Speaking up is key to addressing wage inequality in the country and women must take the lead, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said a Statistics Department report revealed that female graduates earned about RM900 less than their male counterparts, despite holding similar academic qualifications.
“We must speak out about this. As a member of the Cabinet, I must raise this as an issue. There should not be a wage gap,” she said after launching the International Women’s Day 2025 logo and theme here yesterday.
International Women’s Day is observed globally on March 8, with this year’s theme being For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Nancy said women often faced unique challenges such as balancing work with care-giving responsibilities for children and elderly folk, and should not be discriminated against or “undervalued”.
“They should not be looked down upon, especially regarding their income, which should be equal especially if their qualifications are the same as men’s. So, what’s the difference?” she asked.
Asked about what can be done to address the gender wage disparity, Nancy said more needed to be done and she needed to review existing policies.
“I will examine this first because it is not directly under my ministry. So, I will study it,” she added.
Earlier in her speech, Nancy stressed the importance of ensuring Malaysian women had equal access and were free from any form of gender discrimination.
“Women not only play an important role in the family, they also lead in the development of society and the country. Women are the backbone of progress in the economy, society and in politics,” she added.
Nancy also acknowledged the global efforts of women striving to create equitable and progressive structures.
She also announced that the ministry had chosen Wanita Beraspirasi Membina Legasi as this year’s Women’s Day theme.
She said the celebration will be held in stages throughout February across five regions – Sarawak (Feb 11), Terengganu (Feb 20), Johor (Feb 24) and Negri Sembilan (Feb 25), with the date for Perak to be announced later.
