Rosmah believes many women still lack access to Internet

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor seen at the Asean Conference on Women in Politics in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, October 17, 2015.

The online gender gap reflects and amplifies existing inequalities between the sexes not just in the political arena but in all spheres of life, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said there was much at stake, with much to lose if women were left behind “because technology offers great communication tools including social media that helps make connections”.

“The lack of access to the Internet by women is a serious issue with very real consequences for them and girls, their communities and nations.

“My hope is the Asean Conference on Women in Politics (WIP KL2015) would catalyse action to close the gender gap.

“This can be done by tackling the wide range of gender-specific barriers to critical technologies such as the internet and mobile phones," she said at a WIP KL2015 luncheon in Kuala Lumpur today.

The inaugural WIP KL2015, themed “Promoting Representation through Connectivity and Innovation”, is organised by Wanita Barisan Nasional.

The conference officiated by Najib is aimed at creating a political network for women from Asean involved in politics.

Rosmah also said the power of the Internet should be used to give women the opportunity, capacity and motivation to promote their political skills and therefore increase their representation. – Bernama