IMPLEMENTING a gender lens ensures that no group is overlooked in policies and development, fostering greater public trust in public services.
State executive councillor for Social Development, Welfare and non-Islamic Religious Affairs Lim Siew Khim, emphasised the importance of applying a gender lens across public services to address community gaps.
Speaking at the Penang Gender Inclusiveness (DKG) Policy dialogue session held on Nov 19 at the Penang Digital Library, Lim engaged with focal point officers (PFP) from various departments in a programme organised by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).
“When gender inclusiveness is combined with good management, we can produce policies and allocations that are more responsive to the people’s actual needs.
“The Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) model has now become the guide for other local governments in Malaysia and also in the Asia Pacific region.
“Through collaboration between PWDC and United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG-ASPAC), Penang’s local government has adopted the GRPB as a benchmark for inclusive budget allocations,” she added.
Lim also shared that the role of PFP DKG was inspired by Germany’s ‘Gender Focal Points’ initiative.
“My aspiration is for the PFP DKG to evolve into gender experts in their respective fields, akin to Germany’s approach. My team is also working on establishing a DKG committee to serve as a guiding body,” she explained.
“The proposed DKG committee will act as a platform for department heads to present updates on the DKG Action Plan, involving 35 departments, state agencies, and two local governments.”
Meanwhile, PWDC Gender Inclusiveness division head Haziqah Nasirah Zol Bahari outlined the Gender Inclusiveness Policy’s three phases: institutionalising knowledge (2019-2021), institutionalising practices (2022-2026), and institutionalising sustainability (2027-2030).
Also present was PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, who supported the dialogue’s focus on advancing gender inclusiveness at all levels.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis