WOMEN SEE PUBLIC SECTOR AS SAFE

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), March 4 (Bernama) -- Most women in East Malaysia state of Sabah, especially Bumiputras (indigenous people), will only work in the public sector, according to State Assistant Minister of Resources Development and Information Technology Jainab Ahmad.

She said Thursday that this attitude could hamper efforts to have women fill 30 per cent of decision-making positions in the private sector.

She said that elders had instilled in many women the idea that the corporate world was a risky place while the public sector offered security.

"The women are not lazy or incapable - just not brave enough to take risks," she said.

Jainab was commenting on the target set by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry of 30 per cent women participation in decision-making roles in the private sector and government-linked companies.

Jainab said that about 70 per cent of women graduates in the state chose not to be employed after marriage.

"This is depressing, especially since the government has been making relentless efforts to empower women," she said.
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