KUALA LUMPUR - If you want to gauge the progress of a country, look at women's representation in various fields, said former Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
She said women's representation in every aspect was crucial.
"There are no two ways about this. We need to go all out to ensure women’s meaningful representation and participation in all aspects of society, be it in the government, the private sector, as well as politics.
"I am interested in the economic independence of women," she told Sinar Daily.
Women who are economically independent will not only help themselves but their family, their community and the country. "Women historically spend a higher portion of their income on food, household spending, and services for the family.”
"I have always said ‘every woman must have her own wallet - #dompetwanita.’”
"Financial independence is key to ensuring that women are able to embrace their fullest potential.
"It will be important to champion this cause, especially in the post-Covid period, when many women have dropped out of the labour force and find it difficult to re-enter, in part because of their care responsibilities.”
The former women, family and community development minister said gender equality should be mainstreamed; people should stop talking about women in politics, women in the economy and women in health, without ensuring meaningful representation. These issues must be addressed holistically, and not in a piecemeal manner, she said.
"It means no women, no progressive politics.
"If mothers are not healthy, it will affect the entire family, we must move forward that way. The same with education. If women are not educated, how about their children?," she further added.