Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak launched two publications on gender budget analysis which were a result of a pilot project implemented by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) in partnership with UNDP Malaysia.

The project on gender budget analysis is aimed at establishing a basis for undertaking gender-sensitive work in the Malaysian national budgeting system. Workshops and seminars have also been held to build capacity for implementing gender-sensitive budgets.

A training manual for government officials as well as an advocacy report on gender budgeting for dissemination to civil society and the general public were launched by Dato' Sri Najib in conjunction with the National Women's Day celebrations held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Dato' Sri Najib, who was reading a speech on behalf of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said that more measures should be taken to eliminate gender-bias in the workplace.

"The government is committed towards moving ahead with its development agenda and empowering women so that they can contribute to economic growth and increase their income and enhance their quality of life," he said.

Dato' Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, said in her address that the government would review laws and policies that were gender-biased.

Three committees would be set up to look into the review. A committee chaired by the Attorney-General's Chambers would look at articles in the Constitution, while the Home Affairs Minister would study immigration laws and regulations. The Human Resources Ministry would be responsible for countering gender bias against women workers.

Richard Leete, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, said in his foreword to the advocacy report that "The primary goal of gender budgeting - to achieve equality between women and men through gender mainstreaming - is consistent with the human rights principle of equality and non-discrimination which the UNDP, as well as the entire UN system, champions."

"Malaysia has made great strides towards achieving gender equality and women's empowerment," he said, adding that the gender budget pilot project had propelled Malaysia into the forefront of what is still a relatively unexplored area and demonstrated the country's sophistication in public policy administration.

Over 6,000 people, mostly women from all walks of life and professions, attended the event, which was a colourful celebration of the achievements of Malaysian women over the years.

News of the launch was highlighted in the media, including Bernama, The Star, Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian.

Please click here for the Malay versions of the training manual and the advocacy report.