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PETALING JAYA: A Special Select Committee on Gender Equality and Family Development should be considered a front-line select committee and should be brought back, two MPs said today.
In a joint statement, Permatang MP Pauh Nurul Izzah Anwar and Merbok MP Nurin Aina said that groups such as the elderly are particularly vulnerable and that as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, these groups are even more exposed.
“The last day of Parliament saw the announcement of the long awaited establishment of eight select parliamentary committees; key entities in a fully functioning parliamentary democracy.
“However, we are disappointed to note the absence of a Special Select Committee on Gender Equality and Family Development,” they said.
A report published this month by Unicef and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) entitled “Families on the Edge” examined 500 families, including 20% who have female heads of household in PRPD in KL, to determine the impact of the motion control order. (MCO).
The report showed that women and children were disproportionately affected by the pandemic; the median family income in June 2020 for female heads of household fell to ringgit 675.
About 50% think their financial situation will worsen, while 42% of all households and 56% of female heads of household lack equipment such as computers for online learning.
“It also raises questions about the level of adequate assistance provided by the government, as 40% of all households and 45% of female heads of households did not consider Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) to be the most useful aid to meet your needs.
“The resurgence of a Special Select Committee on Gender Equality and Family Development, then headed by Nurin Aina, will help shed light on the details of the needs of women and children; starting with a detailed study of Unicef and the UNFPA report, ”said the deputies.
They said that the Special Selection Committee was made up of a bipartisan group of representatives from PKR, DAP, Umno and PAS.
“Taking advantage of their mandate to call in officials and experts to investigate the issues in depth, they analyzed and improved government policies such as the sexual harassment and gender equality bill.
The Committee was also in the process of enacting a Gender Equality Assessment of Parliament, a necessary guide for our August Chamber, ”they added.
However, the efforts of the former Select Committee were curtailed with the change of government in March.
“While the government may suggest the creation of special select committees, it is ultimately up to the president to finalize, as it is a function specifically formed by parliament.
“We therefore urge the Spokesperson to maintain the Special Select Committee on Gender Equality and Family Development to ensure that policies and legislation are properly scrutinized so that they can serve all rakyat without leaving anyone behind,” they added. .
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