MEDIA STATEMENT
MASA IN CELEBRATION WITH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, INSPIRE INCLUSION, INVEST IN WOMEN
8th MARCH 2024
AS we observe the International Women’s Day 2024, Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA) proudly stands alongside the global community in honouring the remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions of women, worldwide.
This year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” designated by the United Nations, underscores the urgent need to address economic disparities faced by women. Simultaneously, the campaign, themed, “Inspire Inclusion,” highlights the critical importance of diversity and empowerment of women across all sectors of the society.
Aligned with MASA’s unwavering commitment to the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030), we urge the Malaysian Government to intensify its efforts and initiatives, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic status of women.
We advocate for the implementation of equitable and strategic policies that can foster and enhance female participation and leadership in both the private and public sectors. As part of our collective endeavours, Malaysia has set ambitious targets to eradicate all forms of injustice in the labour market, thereby, advancing economic outcomes for women.
MASA emphasises the importance of proactive and continuous measures to harness the immense potential of women in driving prosperity within our nation, communities, families and households.
The role and contribution of women are indispensable in addressing various challenges and steering economic recovery, reform and transformation. Studies reveal that although women constitute half of the world’s population, they contribute only 37 per cent to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Recognising the significant worth of women’s unpaid work, valued at USD 10.9 trillion (RM51.13 trillion) to the world economy, underscores the imperative of investing in women’s literacy, capacity-building and entrepreneurship.
Women’s empowerment embodies a multi-faceted process, encompassing knowledge acquisition, awareness, capacity-building and enhanced participation in decision-making processes. MASA advocates for gender equity and empowerment, acknowledging that women’s knowledge and decision-making prowess are indispensable for societal progress.
We also acknowledge that the concept of women’s empowerment transcends Western feminism, encompassing the ability to challenge and transform societal norms, practices and laws that constrain women’s agency and choices.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, MASA reaffirms its steadfast commitment to advancing gender equity, empowering women and fostering shared prosperity for all.
AZRIL MOHD AMIN
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif