Forum Kepimpinan Wanita dalam Politik
Professor Sharifah Hapsah appealed to Malaysian political parties to nominate women as at least 30 per cent of their candidates in the 15th General Election. The forum brought together representatives of political parties, government agencies, researchers and civil-society organisations. It contributed to the establishment of PantauPRU15, which monitored the nomination and election of women candidates […]
Budget 2023 Must Address Gender Gaps
Professor Sharifah Hapsah detailed NCWO’s recommendations for Budget 2023, including childcare infrastructure, unpaid care recognition, flexible work, and rural digital access. Relevant Links: • Astro Awani Bahasa Malaysia – Bajet 2023 perlu tangani jurang jantina • Astro Awani English – Budget 2023 must address gender gap in identified sectors
Gender-Sensitive Employment Ecosystems and the Retention of Professional Women
Professor Sharifah Hapsah highlighted the need for flexible, gender-responsive workplaces to retain professional women who balance caregiving and family responsibilities. Relevant Link: • Astro Awani – Ekosistem pekerjaan peka gender jamin wanita kekal dalam pasaran kerja profesional
Consider This: GE15—Increasing Women’s Political Participation
Professor Sharifah Hapsah was interviewed on whether Malaysia’s 15th General Election could become a turning point for gender equality and women’s representation in legislative institutions. The discussion examined women’s participation as electoral candidates, political-party structures and the barriers limiting women’s entry into Parliament and other decision-making bodies.
“Masanya untuk Bertindak”: Addressing the Lack of Gender Sensitivity
Professor Sharifah Hapsah argued that Malaysia had moved beyond the stage of merely studying why gender sensitivity remained inadequate and should proceed towards meaningful action. Her comments were made during the launch of a publication on prominent women academics at UKM and emphasised the need to translate knowledge and awareness into institutional and societal change.
Gender Sensitivity: From Awareness to Action
Professor Sharifah Hapsah urged for concrete, practical action to address female workforce drop-off and low labor-force participation despite high university graduate numbers. Relevant Link: • Astro Awani – Masanya untuk bertindak, tangani isu kurangnya kepekaan jantina
Implementation of 90 Days’ Maternity Leave
Professor Sharifah Hapsah advised the government to refine the 90-day maternity leave policy to ensure a win-win structure that supports women without inadvertently causing recruitment discrimination. Relevant Link: • Malay Mail – Women’s group urges government to ensure win-win maternity-leave policies
Budget 2020 and Women’s Economic Participation
Professor Sharifah Hapsah welcomed Budget 2020 initiatives aimed at incentivising women aged 30 to 50 to return to the workforce. Relevant Link: • Malay Mail – Groups laud Budget 2020 initiatives designed to aid women’s participation
Empowering Women in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Role of Women Engineers
Professor Sharifah Hapsah delivered a professional engagement connecting female empowerment with engineering, tech innovation, and leadership in Industry 4.0. Relevant Links: • IEM Women Engineers Facebook – Role of Women Engineers • NCWO Facebook – Women Engineers engagement
Public Commentary on the PERMATA Programme
Professor Sharifah Hapsah rejected the perception that the PERMATA programme was exclusively elitist. She explained that its different components also addressed marginalised young people and adolescents who lacked opportunities to realise their potential. Her comments situated talent development within a broader framework of educational access and social inclusion.