PETALING JAYA: With four main priorities comprising economy, leadership, security and well-being, the National Women’s Policy (DWN) 2025-2030 aims to empower women’s participation while helping them reach their full potential through inclusive planning and development of gender equality.
DWN, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in conjunction with the recent International Women’s Day, will be implemented over five years in line with the Malaysia Plan.
The implementation of the DWN is set to help improve Malaysia’s standing in international reports such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Sustainable Development Goals, Global Gender Gap Index and World Competitiveness Report.
Among its core issues is addressing domestic violence against women, which recorded 7,116 cases last year. As such, under safety, the DWN wants to cultivate gender equality to strengthen the level of security and peace for women in the country.
Recently, Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Siti Kamsiah Hassan said that 70% of domestic violence cases are tied to economic factors.
During the launch of DWN, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic) said the new policy will ensure stricter action against perpetrators of domestic violence and strengthen enforcement.
She said the government is identifying weaknesses in implementing existing laws to close any gaps in the protection of women.
Under the DWN’s economic agenda, it hopes to empower women from all walks of life as agents of change and strategic partners in the country’s socio-economic development.
In terms of leadership, DWN strives to increase the number of women as decision-makers in strategic positions.
To drive the DWN ahead, the policy is set to introduce gender-based impact assessment in the national budget system in line with the gender-responsive budget approach.
It will also introduce gender audit into the evaluation of high-impact projects or programmes and initiatives that support women in the informal sector. The DWN was first formulated in 1989 and subsequently revised in 2009 with the introduction of the Women’s Development Action Plan.
