SHAH ALAM - Women are still under-represented in political institutions due to the fact that they are not included in decision-making and their abilities are not recognised enough as it is often conquered by men especially in matters concerning family, society and the public.
USM Research on Women and Gender (Kanita) Convenor Dr Zaireeni Azmi said Malaysia is in the thick of patriarchal culture within the society where men are perceived to be a better leader compared to women.
"We are talking about women at the decision-making level, women as leaders, as ministers, deputy ministers in the political structure,”she said as a panelist on Sinar Daily’s Relatable programme with the topic "Self-Sabotage? When Women Don’t Vote Women”.
This, she said, is one of the biggest hurdles for women to have more women representatives and for them to be selected as leaders.
"This is about power and I think it is difficult for men to give way to women,” she remarked.
Commenting on the same issue, Akademi Dr Har Founder Prof Datuk Dr Harlina Haizah Siraj said to overcome the stigma against women, every party should be aware of the issue.
"The challenge is that everybody must have this kind of awareness in which when you see a woman is not representing at any negotiation table, do not proceed with the meeting.
"We must have women here because we need to listen and be sensitive towards their needs,” she said.