In commemorating International Women’s Day, Suhakam said it was crucial now more than ever that women were afforded full and equal participation in decision-making positions in all areas of life.

It noted that Putrajaya’s initiatives toward promoting women’s rights have produced some positive results, but maintained that more needed to be done to ensure that women had equal access to opportunities that men did.

“The pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing inequalities and systemic barriers to women’s participation and leadership.

“The pandemic also brings new barriers where vulnerable women are facing increased domestic violence, unemployment, unpaid or reduced salaries and poverty, with some having a hard time to provide basic needs for their family.

“All quarters must work towards empowering women to uphold their rights and leverage on their leadership potential in pandemic preparedness and response, particularly in integrating their perspectives in the formulation and implementation of related policies and recovery programmes,” it said in a statement today.

While more women have been appointed in high-ranking positions in public and private sectors, Suhakam said, women political empowerment was still lacklustre.

Citing the statistics on women empowerment in selected domains for Malaysia, it said eight states recorded scores under the national equality level.