'Where are the women?': Activist slams gender gap in media, politics

New Straits Times

11-06-2025

PETALING JAYA: The government should introduce more affirmative action policies to support women in leadership roles in the media and politics, says an activist.
Speaking during the BBC World Questions debate last night, Universiti Malaya Gender Studies Programme head Dr Vilashini Somiah criticised persistent gatekeeping and cultural bias that hinder women's participation in decision-making spaces.
"It's 2025, and we're still unable to say some of the most important things — especially in the media — because the room lacks equal participation," she said.
"Women don't just speak for themselves. They create space for minorities, for people with disabilities, for indigenous voices."
Vilashini said while quotas or gender-based targets were not ideal, they were necessary to address structural inequality.
"The issue isn't just representation — it's the type of woman who gets in. Are we seeing a dark-skinned Tamil woman? A woman with a disability? Not really.
"The system makes it hard even for the most privileged women to break through."
The panel also included Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh and political analyst Dr Tricia Yeoh, who both pointed to structural barriers, such as the high cost of political participation and lack of party support for female candidates.
Yeoh cited Malaysia's low female labour force return rate, especially after childbirth, as evidence of a broken support system.
"The drop-off in women returning to work in their 30s and 40s is stark. We need institutional policies — childcare, leave, flexible work — to fix this."
Fuziah, who is PKR secretary-general, said the party had recently amended its constitution to mandate minimum women and youth representation.
"I won't be happy until we achieve full parity. We hold up half the sky," she said.
Several audience members also voiced support for urgent legislative reform.
"I hope in 10 or 20 years this won't just be a discussion," said Noor, a participant who raised the initial question on women in the media.
Others, like journalist Tamina, who was also in the audience, called for policies that redefine men's roles in family life to balance domestic responsibilities.
Still, not all agreed.
CodeBlue editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn argued that affirmative action in the media would not automatically lead to more female representation in news coverage.
"We report on people in power. If those in power are men, that's who gets quoted — regardless of whether the journalist is male or female."
The debate also touched on issues such as the rising cost of living, national identity and fundamental liberties.
It will be broadcast on the BBC World Service on Saturday, June 14.