‘Equality, partnership, respect must be upheld to achieve gender equality in M'sia’ - Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR - Equality, partnership, and mutual respect are three core values that must be upheld in order to achieve Goal Five of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5), which is gender equality in Malaysia.

In saying this, Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri added that the country strives towards achieving SDG 5, though it is an uphill task.

"We are fully aware of how much needs to be done and the incredible national potential we can unlock as the voices and roles of Malaysia’s women become mainstream.

"The core values of equality, partnership, and mutual respect must endure with every step we take in advancing Malaysia’s women and girls, to build a Malaysia where everyone is respected as equal partners in nation-building," she said at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) conference themed 'Celebrating 50 Years of Progress in Malaysia' at Boathouse 5, Ampang today.

Nancy added further that Malaysians must consequently understand that achieving "more" for women and girls does not denote achieving "less" for everyone else.

Our culture is based on the principle of mutual respect, which paves the way for equal collaboration between men and women in all spheres of life, including society, the workplace, and the home, Nancy said.

"There should be nothing standing in the way of any Malaysian when it comes to being able to achieve their dreams or ambitions, especially not their gender. This is our collective duty to ensure this," she added.

UNFPA celebrates its 50th year of working with the people and government of Malaysia.

Also present at the event were United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, Karima El Korri; the National Board of Population and Family Development (LPPKN) chairperson, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim; the Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary General, Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu; and Women’s Development Director General, Dr Wan Nur Ibtisam Wan Ismail.

The event featured the launch of the much-anticipated report called "Enhancing Human Capital Through Sexual and Reproductive Health Investments and Family Support Policies in Malaysia," jointly funded by the Economy Ministry and UNFPA Malaysia and developed by the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health.

The report provides evidence of how Malaysia can improve human capital through strategic investments in sexual and reproductive health as well as crucial family-supporting policies and services in order to increase the female labour force participation rate (LFPR), hit key national milestones, and hasten the process of becoming a high-income country.