Women's Leadership

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Women's participation in politics has long been recognised as an important measure of the status of women and in Malaysia, the women have indeed stamped their mark in the Cabinet, the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara.

The trend in women running for political positions and holding office is gaining momentum, and their contributions and impact would be best seen in about two to three years, said two women in politics. 

SHAHDARA, Pakistan – Bushra Khaliq stood in the middle of a village home, chin up and shoulders back, holding the attention of fifty women around her. Old and young, they wore Pakistani tunics and scarves; some cradled and fed babies, others shushed children who tugged at their sleeves. Sun from the open roof warmed Khaliq’s face as she looked around, holding eye contact with one woman, then another. “Who is going to decide your vote?” she asked. The women clapped and shouted in unison: “Myself!”

“Our candidates are mostly women who work in the NGO sector and have grassroots experience. There are many retired IAS officers who are joining our party. The candidates will depend on their own resources for campaigning,” Shetty said.

With Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota launching their presidential bids over the weekend, there are now more women running for a single party's nomination than ever.

Women are gaining ground in politics around the world. Last year, the so-called “pink wave” saw a record number of women elected to Congressin the US’s mid-term elections. There are signs of progress in Africa, too.