THE Penang Women’s Assembly 2024 (Sidang ‘Wanita Pulau Pinang 2024’) once again made significant impact, showcasing women’s talents in debating and addressing community and state needs.
A total of 40 participants took part in the Penang Women’s Assembly 2024 at the State Legislative Assembly building in Light Street today.
The all-women mock assembly participants had the opportunity to role-play as the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers I and II, state executive councillors, backbenchers, and members of the Opposition. It was set up to resemble the real State Legislative Assembly.
State Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim emphasised that the Penang Women’s Assembly aims to go beyond politics, encouraging greater women participation in decision-making across various areas of leadership.
Lim added that the assembly would help the participants to understand the role and duties of a state assemblyman.
“Many are questioning why there is a Penang Women’s Assembly, and not a Penang Men’s Assembly.
“It is important to recognise that women’s representation in government legislative functions remains low and has not yet reached the target of 30% set by the United Nations (UN) for gender equality and women’s empowerment, under its UN Women initiative.
“The Penang Women’s Assembly aims to address this gap. The composition of women in the Parliament and the Penang State Assembly has seen a decline in percentage compared to earlier years,” said Lim, who is the Sungai Pinang assemblyman.
Lim shared that there are qualified women candidates ready to enter politics and become decision-makers, but questioned the political parties whether they are willing to accept them.
“All these years we can see that at the Penang Women’s Assembly, participants are so talented and are verbal in voicing and debating their ideas and opinions.
“My advice to the participants is to seize this opportunity to gain knowledge and experience. Use this platform as a stepping stone before entering politics,” Lim said.
The participants in the pictures below taking part in the debate :-
Apart from that, Lim also shared that this year, the Penang Women’s Assembly received grant from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, through the Women’s Leadership Apprenticeship Programme (Perantis).
“We would like to thank the Federal government for their support and for recognising our efforts to empower women in Penang and in Malaysia as a whole,” she added.
Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan, who is also the Penang Women’s Assembly Committee chairman, shared that participants from outside Penang, including Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah, and Kelantan, also joined the programme.
Tan also expressed her hope that Perantis would continue to support the programme.
State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang shared words of wisdom with the participants, reminding them the importance of check and balance, a cornerstone of the legislative process.
He emphasised that this priciple applies to both government and Opposition assemblymen, ensuring accountability and a fair democratic process.
Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng reaffirmed that the need for greater representation of women in Parliament to ensure that the national budget reflects the diverse needs of women, which are often overlooked.
Some of the pictures taken at the event :-
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En