KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has welcomed calls to give Wanita Umno members more opportunities in elections to boost women’s representation and strengthen party leadership.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the position and role of Wanita Umno had always been recognised as vital to the party’s struggle since its founding.
“As a party, whatever we do, Wanita remains a very important wing in Umno’s struggle,” he told reporters after attending the Wanita Umno general assembly held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
He added that the movement should continue producing more capable women leaders to support and strengthen the party.
He also said Umno welcomed the proposal by Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad to increase women’s participation in elections to 30 per cent, describing it as a positive step towards developing strong female leadership within the party.
“We welcome it. What Wanita Umno needs to do is to produce more women leaders with strong backgrounds and experience across various fields to be put forward to the Umno leadership. I have always supported this,” he said.
Earlier, Noraini, in her policy speech, urged Umno to set a minimum target of 30 per cent women’s participation within the party’s leadership structure, stressing that women should not be viewed merely as campaign machinery during elections.
She said women must instead be recognised as policymakers, decision-makers and a central pillar of the party’s strength.
“Thirty per cent women’s participation in leadership is not a soft request, not an emotional appeal, and not conference rhetoric,” she said.
Noraini said the proposal was a strategic move to elevate the role and dignity of women, and should begin from within the party itself.
She further called for the target to be implemented in a phased and structured manner, and formally enshrined in the party constitution to ensure long-term commitment.
The Wanita Umno chief said empowering women within the party was essential to ensuring Umno remained relevant, resilient and prepared to face future electoral challenges.
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