SHAH ALAM - It is crucial to move beyond excuses and address gender disparities and issues concerning youths comprehensively at all levels.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Business, Economics and Accountancy Faculty associate professor Dr Janice Nga emphasises the need to make real changes in the society to bridge this gap.
This meant ensuring that everyone, regardless of their gender has access to opportunities and quality education while addressing other critical aspects.
Nga said when it comes to women's representation in state assemblies, the country must have more female candidates.
"Without female candidates, achieving gender parity in state assemblies remains unattainable.
"Instead of making excuses, like suggesting that men are easier to elect, it's essential to thoroughly examine these issues at all levels, especially for policymakers responsible for appointing ministries," she said.
Besides, Nga said the dominance of men within political parties was imperative and suggested that political parties develop transparent Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that genuinely encourage women participation in the political process.
She also said education and support in the workplace were equally essential.
"Providing services like childcare can significantly support women and create a more comfortable and inclusive environment," she said.
Commenting further, she said the concept of youth has evolved over the years.
"In 2007, youth included individuals up to the age of 14, but today, it refers to those below 25 years old.
"This change is particularly relevant for Sabah, where an estimated 200,000 individuals from the state work in the Peninsula, not including their dependents,” she said.
Moreover, she said many Sabahans worked abroad, which, while not presenting significant issues, came with occasional challenges.
"To gain a better understanding of the concerns faced by young people in Sabah, a preliminary investigation was conducted among students, with data collection ongoing as of Nov 5.
"Among the respondents under the age of 24, around 32 per cent to 33 per cent expressed concerns about the state of the economy.
"Approximately 48 per cent viewed the economy as a matter of fact, while only 18 per cent considered it good," she said.
She emphasised that job security was important for young people, with 64.4 per cent expressing high levels of concern and 12.5 per cent remaining uncertain about their future job security.
"The prospect of higher income is the primary motivation cited by over 70 per cent of those considering working abroad, with 23.1 per cent being driven by career development opportunities," she said.
Nga said these issues were vital as they significantly influenced the decision to work abroad.
She said encouraging young people to work locally and stay close to their families can be achieved by considering factors such as family planning and stability, identified by 51 per cent of respondents as key reasons.
"A majority of respondents prefer shorter overseas assignments (54 per cent) compared to long-term commitments (46 per cent), but it is important to acknowledge that short-term ambitions may evolve into long-term plans,” she said.
She added that effective policy implementation such as the Sabah Youth Policy played a pivotal role in retaining and supporting the youth population.
She said career promotion and efficient policy implementation were key factors in managing these challenges effectively.