New Gender Inclusiveness Policy launched in Penang

Penang's government launched its Gender Inclusiveness Policy yesterday (7 March), Malaysia's first of its kind, Bernama reported.

The policy was implemented with an aim to reduce gender inequality in the state, as well as to ensure a gender-balanced environment within Penang's state government.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said in line with Penang's Vision 2030, it would be the responsibility of the State Executive Councillors to ensure all state heads of departments and agencies under them adopt the policy.

Speaking at the launch of the policy yesterday, he said: "All heads of departments and agencies must also collect the sex-disaggregated data and implement the Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting in their respective departments and agencies.

Minister Chow also added that the new policy, which had been drafted over the decade, "was expected to be the pride of the people of Penang and was something that could be done by private organisations as well."