In recent years, Malaysia has seen a growing awareness and commitment towards achieving gender equality, but the journey has its challenges. As the nation strives to break down traditional barriers, the gender disparity in various workforce sectors remains a critical focal point.
Meanwhile, in a promising development for Malaysia's pursuit of gender equality, recent data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) indicates significant improvements in various facets of the nation's gender landscape. The statistics reflect significant strides in various sectors, showcasing a gradual but notable shift towards a more inclusive and equitable society. We see an increase of 0.2% from the previous year – scoring 69.4% in the Malaysia Gender Gap Index (MGGI).
DOSM Statistics
Infographic by DOSM
In a media statement dated 13 December 2023, DOSM published a report on Statistics on Women Empowerment in Selected Domains in Malaysia, focusing on the core set of gender indicators covering eleven domains altogether. The report also highlighted the Malaysia Gender Gap Index (MGGI) for women and men across four sub-indices encompassing economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
Below is the breakdown of the four sub-indices highlighted in the infographic:
*A score with a value of 1.0 (100%) MGGI indicates the equality of men and women has been achieved.
- Economic participation and opportunity - 0.644 MGGI
- The labour force participation rate (LFPR) of women is lower than men, recording 55.8% compared to men's 81.9%,
- For every RM100 men received in salaries and wages, women received RM66.67,
- A quarter of the total number of legislators, senior officials, and managers are women however, the rate is still lower than that of men,
- Men dominate in professional industries and the technical workforce, leaving women at 40.7% compared to 59.3% of men.
- Educational attainment - 1.067 MGGI
- Women recorded a 96.9% literacy rate, not far behind men at 97.5% between the ages of 15 and 64 years old,
- Women recorded a higher enrollment rate for all education levels than men (primary, secondary, tertiary).
- Health and survival - 0.961 MGGI
- Women are expected to be 4.9 years longer than men, with an expectancy of 76.4 years, while men at 71.5 years,
- For every 1,000 baby boys, there were 938 baby girls,
- 15.7 million of Malaysia’s population are females out of 32.7 million in 2022 alone.
- Political empowerment - 0.102 MGGI
- Only 13.5% of women were elected to the Parliament,
- The percentage of women holding ministerial positions is lower compared to men in 2022,
- The lowest MGGI scores out of all the four sub-indices.
To sum it all up, while we see an increase in MGGI compared to last year’s, the breakdown shows that women are still undervalued in certain sectors, especially in the Parliament and ministerial roles. Currently, out of 220 Dewan Rakyat seats, only 29 of them are women. As exhibited in the infographics, our political empowerment MGGI scored the lowest in uplifting and mandating women with ministerial roles.
In the media release, Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician Malaysia, commented that Malaysia ranked 93rd out of 146 countries in the world based on our MGGI scores and stood at 11th position in East Asia, ahead of the Republic of Korea (0.680), Brunei (0.693), China (0.678) and a slew other countries.
“Recognising the significant role of women, Malaysia is dedicated to achieving gender equality and promoting the rights of girls and women nationwide. The government’s continuous efforts and commitment to achieving gender equality – in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK Ke-12),” added him further.
Another Win For Us
In other news, Bursa Malaysia Berhad, in a press release dated 13 December 2023, shared the joyous news of being crowned as Asia’s Leading Exchange In Gender Equality In Corporate Leadership in a report published by the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange (UNSSE) and International Finance Corporation (IFC).
According to the report, which analyzed Exchange’s top 100 listed issuers by market capitalization, Malaysia leads the Asian region regarding the percentage of women on board. To top it all off, 44% of the publicly listed companies (PLC) in Bursa Malaysia exceeded the target of having at least 30% female board members.
“This recognition or finding speaks to the commitment and progress of Malaysian PLCs. We celebrate their positive actions to inculcate gender equality in their board compositions, reinforcing the benefits of a gender-diverse board,” said Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, the Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia.
#WomenEmpowerment From Now Onwards
There are positive signs of progress, particularly in the increased participation of women in non-traditional sectors. Efforts to break gender stereotypes and challenge societal norms are gradually reshaping the landscape. Organizations like Lean In Malaysia and the Malaysian Women in Tech community actively foster mentorship and support networks to empower women in their respective fields.
While Malaysia has taken substantial steps towards achieving gender equality, the journey is ongoing. It is crucial to recognize the intersectionality of gender with other factors such as ethnicity, socio-economic status, and age. Organizations, policymakers, and society must work collaboratively to dismantle existing barriers and create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.
As Malaysia navigates the path towards gender equality, fostering a culture of inclusivity, implementing targeted policies, and challenging deeply ingrained stereotypes will be instrumental in building a society where the potential of all individuals is realized, irrespective of gender.
As Malaysia progresses, women's empowerment stands as a vibrant cornerstone. From boardrooms to classrooms, the collective voice of Malaysian women resonates, rewriting narratives and breaking barriers. With every achievement and every step forward, the spirit of empowerment grows stronger. It's not just about women's rights; it's about recognizing the incredible contributions women make every day. In this journey, Malaysia paints a future where every woman's potential is acknowledged and celebrated. Here's to a future where empowerment knows no bounds!
You can read the media release from DOSM here and the press statement from Bursa Malaysia here.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Bursa Malaysia & various cross-references for context.
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