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STATEMENT BY

 

H.E. DR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE

69^TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

 

 

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Cameroon on behalf of the OIC and Belarus on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Family. 

 

2. Thirty years ago, the world came together with a shared commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. While significant progress has been made, it is uneven across regions and challenges such as violence against women, low political participation, economic inequality, and the objectification of women continue to persist.  As we mark the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we must reaffirm our commitment to its goals and address the remaining barriers, ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind. 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

3. Malaysia reaffirms our unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Just a few days ago, we launched the National Women’s Policy and Women’s Development Plan 2025–2030, a comprehensive roadmap focused on enhancing women’s economic empowerment, ensuring access to education and healthcare, as well as amplifying women's voices in all decision-making processes.

 

4. In line with our commitment to advancing women's rights, Malaysia continues to enact legislations in recent years to protect and empower women.  Malaysia introduced the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, one of the first regional laws to establish a dedicated tribunal for sexual harassment, ensuring victims have a clear and accessible path to justice. Additionally, in 2023, we took a landmark step by criminalising stalking, introducing provisions that allow for the issuance of Protection Orders and empower law enforcement agencies to investigate, prosecute, and impose penalties.

 

5. Malaysia has also made great strides in promoting women in leadership. Women are now holding significant decision-making roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Currently, 39.3 percent of women occupy leadership positions in public agencies.  We also took another step forward by mandating that companies listed on the stock exchange have at least one woman on their board. We are proud to announce that as of 2024, women now make up 31.4 percent of board seats in the top 100 public-listed companies, surpassing our 2030 target seven years ahead of schedule. 

 

6. However, while we celebrate these accomplishments, we also recognise that challenges remain. The impacts of global crises, economic uncertainties, and social disparities continue to disproportionately affect women, hindering our collective progress.

Malaysia believes that Beijing+30 represents a powerful call to action. It is a call to dismantle barriers, to ensure equal opportunities, and to build a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable society for all.

 

7. This year, as Malaysia proudly serves as the Chair of ASEAN, we are committed to fostering greater regional and international collaboration to promote women’s empowerment. We believe that through shared leadership, mutual support, and collaboration, we can drive positive change and create a more inclusive and just society for women and girls everywhere.

 

I thank you.