KUCHING: The proposed addition of 17 new state constituencies in Sarawak is an opportunity to increase the number of women in the state legislature, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said more women should be encouraged to take part in politics and fielded as candidates to balance the gender ratio.
"Once the 17 new seats are approved, the ratio of women in political participation should also be increased," she told reporters after opening a Power and Presence Bootcamp for women here on Monday (Sept 21).
The Election Commission's draft proposal to create 17 new state seats is currently on public display in Sarawak.
It comes after the state assembly passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill in July last year to increase the number of elected representatives from 82 to 99.
Nancy said it was the responsibility of political parties to train more women as the next generation of leaders.
"Women like me are getting older. We need women who can take over one day, so they need to be trained and hopefully be recognised by the top leadership.
"But we should increase the number of women in politics. If there are too many from just one gender, it will be less balanced," she said.
Nancy also said women should not set a ceiling for themselves in terms of leadership participation, such as 30% in decision-making roles.
She said as many women as possible should be encouraged to take up roles in various fields, whether in politics, the economy or the workforce.
"If we give women opportunities to lead, we can achieve more than 30%. So to me, let's not set a ceiling for ourselves.
"Just move on so that we can achieve more participation by women," she said.
