Breaking barriers: (From left) Ng, Prof Adeeba, Izzana and Mastura after the panel discussion session ‘Empowering Women Leaders in Asean’s Economic Growth’ at the Asean Economic Opinion Leaders Conference: Outlook for 2025 at Menara Miti, Kuala Lumpur. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: There should not be a compulsory minimum percentage or quota set for women in leadership roles in all sectors, says International Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary-general Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, but not all agree with her.
Mastura said she does not support having a percentage because there would be a tendency to work merely towards that threshold.
“We want more than that – we want women to be recognised on merit, not just to meet that percentage point,” she said during a panel session titled “Empowering Women Leaders in Asean’s Economic Growth” at Menara Miti yesterday.
Mastura argued that suggestions on having a set quota for women in leadership roles are an archaic mentality, as women prefer to have equal opportunities as men.
“That mentality is incorrect because we want equal opportunities for all women and be judged based on credibility, competence and capability,” she added.
Mastura said men dominate the top roles in the civil service at present.
“The reality is out of the 28 ministries we have, there are only two lady secretaries-general.
“It is our responsibility to educate everybody not to discriminate against men or women,” she added.
Infectious disease expert Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, however, disagreed with Mastura, saying that it is still important to have a quota for women in top roles.
“Otherwise, it is easy to make excuses and say we can’t find the right women for the job.
“Equally as important is to have the intervention to ensure that we are producing women leaders,” said Prof Adeeba, who is also a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Science Council.
She added that there is a lack of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles at present.
Prof Adeeba, who is a president and pro vice-chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, said female leaders are not made overnight.
“I think it has to start from childhood, from the home, right through schools and obviously in higher education and the workplace,” she added.
Girls for Girls International global president and co-founder Izzana Salleh also expressed similar sentiments, saying that a quota is necessary as women might still miss out on opportunities despite having merit and experience.
“I do think that if there isn’t a conversation to push for a certain number, the actual appointment may not happen.
“We want to normalise these conversations,” she said.
The session was moderated by Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, who earlier said the newsroom she leads has many women leaders.
“I look at my own department, 70% of my section heads are women.
“They are there not because we wanted to embrace inclusivity and diversity, but because they were the best people for the job. They are there on merit,” she said.
Ng said she was shocked to find out that she was the only woman editor-in-chief from the mainstream media six years ago.
“This is the media industry, the very industry which questions what had happened to the 30% women as decision-makers issue,” she added.
The two-day Asean Economic Opinion Leaders Conference: Outlook for 2025, of which Star Media Group is an exclusive media partner, concluded yesterday.
