GE14: More female candidates, more women issues
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MELAKA, May 1 (Bernama) -- The increase in the number of women candidates in the 14th General Election (GE14) is important to provide more rooms and opportunities for them to raise issues that are close to their hearts.
Puteri UMNO Information chief Haryaty Hamdzah said the presence of the women candidates, including those given the trust to defend their seats, was in line with the increase in the number of young voters in the GE14.
"Various issues involving women can be voiced out...most importantly, women want security assurance and peace, as well as a healthy environment to raise children.
"This (fielding more women candidates in GE14) shows the sincerity and trust of the top leadership towards women," she told Bernama.
A total of 251 women were nominated to contest in either parliamentary or state seats, out of 2,333 candidates for the GE14. Of the 727 - 222 parliamentary and 505 state - seats contested, Barisan Nasional (BN) fielded 92 women candidates from only 40 in the 13th general election and 36 in the 12th general election.
Haryaty, who is also Kota Melaka Puteri UMNO chief, said the presence of more BN women candidates in the GE14 also demonstrated the appropriate recognition given by the coalition leadership for the group.
"The proof is BN has fielded women candidates to contest in safe or winnable seats. Therefore, it is hoped that the country's desire to have 30 per cent of women's participation in politics and policy making can be realised.
"More young women are given the opportunity as we (BN) are confident of their potential ," he added.
-- BERNAMA
