By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Oct 27 — The state government is seeking solutions to increase women's participation in the workforce and contribute to Selangor's gross domestic product (GDP).
State executive councillor for women’s development Anfaal Saari said this aims to narrow its labour force participation gender gap, which currently stands at 69.9 per cent for women compared to 83.5 per cent for men, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia's data.
"We will organise the Selangor Care Economy Symposium (Simposium Ekonomi Penjagaan Selangor) on Monday and Tuesday (October 30 and October 31), inviting stakeholders. It will discuss increasing women's participation in employment.
"If the participation rate (in the labour force) can be optimised, we believe Selangor can achieve between RM22.4 million and RM32.1 million in its GDP annually," she said.
Speaking at a press conference after the launch of the MamaKerja childcare incentive at Mardhiyyah Hotel yesterday, Anfaal admitted many women today have to drop their careers to take on childcare responsibilities.
"Many mothers have to take care of their children and household chores by themselves. So, some sacrifice their careers due to the high cost of sending their children to expensive childcare centres, aside from wanting to take care of their children themselves.
"The state government continually supports efforts to increase women's participation in the workforce," she said.
