By IZATUN SHARI
PETALING JAYA:
Wanita MCA and Wanita Gerakan are appalled by the gender-biased
statement by Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin, who
complained about the upward trend of female employees in the civil
service, as well as his alleged complete misreading of government
policy on the issue.
Wanita MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei
Fun said Ahmad Shah’s condescending and chauvinistic statement
demonstrated sheer disregard and disrespect for women and their
contribution to nation-building.
She said it also reflected an
utter lack of understanding of the actual state of female
representation in decision-making positions and the implications of
gender dynamics.
“It is shocking for a leader of an organisation
which represents civil servants to express such a blatant gender-biased
position,” she said in a statement Tuesday.
Chew was responding to reports about remarks by Ahmad Shah
expressing concern over the increasing female profile in the civil
service, saying it would have long-term implications on the progress
and growth of the nation.
He was also quoted as saying that
women civil servants tended to be inflexible and rigid, and thus were
unable to provide effective and friendly service, besides their need to
go on long leave after giving birth.
Chew said Ahmad Shah’s
inaccurate statement showed sheer disrespect for the Government’s
intention of increasing women’s participation in decision-making in
Government institutions and public administration bodies.
“The
Government’s efforts in achieving at least 30% of women in
decision-making (positions) would be futile if such gender-biased
mindsets continue to permeate society,” she said.
Chew said that Ahmad Shah did not fully comprehend the national policy.
The
Cuepacs secretary-general had said that almost three quarters of new
posts in the administrative and diplomatic service were being filled by
women, claiming that this was “contrary to the present government
policy to reserve only 30% of decision-making posts for women.”
The actual government policy is to have women in at least 30% of decision-making posts.
Chew
said Ahmad Shah’s inaccurate statement was tantamount to “sheer
disrespect towards the Government ... and its international pledge to
the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action to ensure women’s equal access to
and full participation in decision-making in government bodies and
public administration entities.”
She noted that according to Gender Gap Index 2009, Malaysia’s overall rank had dropped to 101 last year from 96 in 2008.
Echoing
Chew’s sentiment, Wanita Gerakan deputy chief Ng Siew Lai said it was
wrong for Ahmad Shah to question or worry about too many females in the
civil service.
“We should not worry too much about the current
dominance of female employees in the civil service. This is the nature
of progress of society. However, we must also take measures to
encourage males to become civil servants,” Ng said.
Source
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