Kuala lumpur: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, today called for Malaysian women's voices and views to be fully recognised and for them to take an active role in policymaking.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in her royal address at the 64th National Women's Day celebration, Her Majesty highlighted Malaysia's ranking in the 2022 World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index, where it stood at 103rd out of 146 countries. In comparison, neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia were ranked at 49th, 79th, and 92nd respectively.
Her Majesty stressed the need for Malaysia to catch up with these countries by ensuring women's voices and opinions are heard at the highest levels, and that they are included in policymaking and decision-making processes. She acknowledged the current government's efforts towards creating a more equitable society but emphasized that significant work remains.
Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah stated that true value in nation-building is achieved by amplifying women's voices. She noted that leadership is not determined by gender but by the ability to lead with vision, compassion, and resilience. Women, she asserted, have played a vital role across all sectors, from homes to government, corporations, and civil society organisations.
Despite their contributions, the Queen observed that women remain under-represented in professional and academic settings, often finding themselves in the minority at conferences and similar events. The COVID-19 pandemic, she remarked, exposed existing social disparities and deep-seated gaps, particularly affecting women who were frontline workers during the crisis.
Her Majesty expressed deep appreciation for the 'everyday heroines'-women who raise children, care for the elderly, and educate future generations. She emphasized that while their names may not appear in history books, they are the true pillars of the nation. The Queen called for honoring and valuing women not just on Women's Day, but every day, through effective policies and actions.