(OPINIONS) Talkback Thursday: Is Malaysia ready for a female Prime Minister?

On Talkback Thursday this week, we asked our fellow citizens, is Malaysia ready for a female Prime Minister?

The world celebrated International Women's Day on March 8th, and many have come out voicing the importance of having more women at the forefront of things.

Our very own Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin expressed his wish for a Malaysian society that would move on from being "patriarchal" and "misogynistic" in objectifying women. He added that he also wishes for a female Prime Minister by the year 2050, which is the Najib's administration's target date for Malaysia to achieve developed nationhood.

Is Malaysia ready for a female Prime Minister? On Talkback Thursday, we asked our fellow citizens, here are some interesting views from the show:

From our twitter poll, out of 162 votes, 73% supported the motion, while 27% said no.

Do you support having a Malaysian female Prime Minister? #Talkback
â€” BFM89.9 (@BFMradio) March 9, 2017

1. Some listeners argued that due to cultural nuances and our patriarchal society ---- men should lead instead of women ---- preventing us from having a female Prime Minister.

@BFMradio we don't treat our daughters differently frm our sons.so y have a different perception on women politicians?
â€” Chris Ng (@chrisngsk) March 9, 2017

@BFMradio If we have female candidate that able to represent M'sia, why not? ðŸ˜Ž
â€” Suhaib (@lousyimpresario) March 9, 2017

@BFMradio we can only move to that stage when bumiputera royalty and the rule being the prime minister must be Muslim
â€” Aaron Paulraj (@aaronpaulraj) March 9, 2017

@BFMradio Gender is that important to become PM? Or gender separation are we over doing it?
â€” Susilan Kesavan (@susilan) March 9, 2017

2. Another caller, Mrs. Ampi suggested that, as long as women do not support women, it is impossible to have a female Prime Minister. There is a study; that women prefer men as their boss. Even in America, a lot of women did not support Hillary Clinton in running for President.

Memes that circulated on social media --- making jokes on Hillary Clinton's bid for White House

@BFMradio I agree with Pn Sri Ampi about women not supporting each other enough.Women need to change mindsets too.
â€” Mohanaapriya (@mohanaapriyas) March 9, 2017

3. We need to uphold to meritocracy --- giving opportunities to anyone who has the qualities to lead regardless of their background.

@bfmradio yes, if she is capable and qualified
â€” Sharifah Arfah (@sharifaharfah) March 9, 2017

4. We need to get more women in politics. Currently, there is a lack of female leadership in the system. Malaysia definitely needs more of the likes of 'The Iron Lady', Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz on our political scene.

@BFMradio rafidah aziz for next PM!!
â€” Mobzilla (@mobzilla) March 9, 2017

By the way, in case you missed our interview with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (sometimes in April 2015), let's catch-up here:

BONUS PODCAST: RAFIDAH AZIZ - KEEPING IT REAL

Podcast from The Breakfast Grille (2nd April 2015)

5. Questions were raised about how there was a lack of direct/proper mentorship towards the promotion of female leaders. This would need to be in place to potentially open the path towards a female Prime Minister. In the current political climate, women play a role in cabinet, albeit a minor one. Many listeners referred to the likes Wan Azizah, Nurul Izzah, Jamilah Anu (wife of the late Tok Nan) and Mastura Mohd Yazid (wife of the late Kuala Kangsar's Wan Khairil) -- and how they're reluctant politicians stepping into other people's shoes. Other suggested that Zeti Aziz of ex-Bank Negara and Yasmin Mahmood of MDeC are more prominent names in leadership, but how they represent the exception and not the norm.

6. There was also the view that suggested women are less corrupt than men. What say you?

bike trails

7. We need to fix our system structure -- for example, it is hard for women to climb the corporate ladder, same goes with our political scene, where the big boys dominate the leadership.

Any one as pm.regardless of gender. The current system.systematically shun women from politics #talkback @BFMradio
â€” nuzul fikrie salam (@fikriesalam) March 9, 2017

To get the bigger picture and more views from our fellow Malaysians, do listen to our podcast:

Talkback Thursday: IS MALAYSIA READY FOR A FEMALE PRIME MINISTER?

Once again, is Malaysia ready for a female Prime Minister? Let us know your thoughts.

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