DAP could see more than twice as many women on its highest leadership council from its next term, following the proposal to introduce a quota of 30 percent for women in its CEC (Central Executive Committee).

DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the CEC had resolved the committee would submit a proposal to amend its Party Constitution during the coming DAP National Conference to be held on 14 December, to include a historic quota of 30 percent of the elected CEC posts to be reserved for women.

A resolution to amend the party’s constitution requires half of its delegates present to vote in favor of it.

“This is a concerted effort by DAP to encourage more women to join the DAP and demonstrates our commitment to increase the pool of women leaders in Malaysia, especially the participation of young female leaders,” said Lim.

DAP women leaders believe that the current CEC, that now has only three women out of its 30 members, would attract more women in its talent pool to push for a level playing field between men and women in politics.

According to CEC member and DAP Wanita Chairperson Chong Eng, the proposal is to increase the number of elected CEC members, which is now at 20, to 25. This means that 8 positions would be reserved for women if the amendment is passed.

Currently, DAP’s highest decision-making body comprises 20 office-bearers elected by the party’s central delegates. The 20 chosen committee members will then co-opt ten other office-bearers to form the 30-strong CEC.

Calling it a great step by the CEC, she said that this would create a gender balance in the party as the field of politics has traditionally been dominated by men.

“I hope all parties emulate this policy to prove their commitment to promote gender equality,” she said.

Chong also added that Malaysia should emulate Indonesia to compel parties to field at least 30 percent of women candidates in elections.

“I urge citizens who are supportive of gender equality to join DAP, especially women,” she added.

Another CEC member, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching thanked the CEC for the resolution, and added that the move would be great achievement for the party. The other female CEC leader is Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who is also the DAP Vice President.

“If we wait for nature to take its course, we would have to wait too long to see women fight in a male dominated political arena,” Teo said.

She opined that the move was necessary to jolt the participation of women in the party and that women would be empowered if the proposal is approved.

“This showed that the party is serious in promoting gender equality in politics,” she said.

Teo hopes that the delegates at the National Conference would vote in favour of the quota.

Another DAP women leader, Damansara Utama State Assemblywomen Yeo Bee Yin said that though the move was timely, it is important that the party also implement other strategic measures to empower women within the party.

“ The party has less than 30 percent of women amongst its members, therefore, it is imperative that this number increases so that the talent pool is sufficient,” she said, adding that the party would be able to attract more women to participate in politics as a result of the proposal.

She said that currently, the number of women in the party is less than 30 percent, presenting a challenge in the implementation of the resolution.

“As part of the strategic empowerment measures, we need to train women who are in the party, so that DAP women are not insignificant, much like the Wanita UMNO who have almost no important role to play in UMNO,” she said.

Although the Damansara Utama rep welcomed the move, she said that the goal of the quota is not just to increase the number of women in the CEC to 30 percent, but to harness 30 percent of capable women leaders from a growing talent pool.

Senai State Assemblywoman Wong Shu Qi believes that any affirmative action such as the quota should be shelved after a certain period of time. She said that this was so that there was no limitation on the number of women leaders in the higher echelons of the party.

“I support the move provided there is no glass ceiling to stop more than 30 percent of women being elected into the CEC,” she said.

Wong explained that there should be a timeframe and conditions as to when quota should be disposed of in favour of more women in the CEC.

Exampling Finland, she said that this glass ceiling could be countered with the condition that no one gender can exceed 60 percent or fall below 40 percent of an organization. Under the 1987 Act on Equality between Women and Men in Finland, government organizations are obliged to ensure equal proportion of women and men in committees and advisory boards.

Wong, Yeo and Teo all believe that the proposal would be voted for by the delegates, who they believe are made up of open minded, revolutionary and progressive individuals. -The Rocket