Contents 02 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON, YB PUAN CHONG ENG 03 ABOUT US 12 GENDER RESPONSIVE AND 04 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING (GRPB) BOARD OF DIRECTORS 16 WOMen’s EMPOWERMENT AND 05 LEADERSHIP (WEL) ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 22 06 WOMen’s EMPOWERMENT CAMPAIGN AND PUBLIC EVENT SUPPORT (WES) HIGHLIGHTS 26 10 RESEARCH, POLICY AND StRATEGIC NETWORKING ADVOCACY (RPA) The cover design for this edition of our Annual Report, and its theme, “Giving Wings To Equality”, was inspired by the idea that the journey towards gender equality is an effort of equal partnership between both women and men, and boys and girls. We need to work together to develop the means, or the “wings”, to raise society up to greater heights of progress. Our theme is rooted in PWDC’s firm belief that there is no social justice without gender equality. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON Gender equality is the cornerstone of and the local government. Our work social justice. We cannot speak of a continued to gain recognition at the society that is truly fair and progressive, regional and international levels with if half its population does not equally the GRPB Programme’s study visits to enjoy rights and opportunities that Kerala, India and Semarang, Indonesia enable each individual to live up to by the Programme Team as well as their fullest potential. The path towards selected representatives from both our gender equality is one which needs to Local Council partners, Penang Island be taken not just by women but also City Council (MBPP) and Seberang men. In other words, gender equality is Perai Municipal Council (MPSP). everyone’s responsibility. Our Women’s Empowerment and In 2015, the Penang Women’s Leadership (WEL) Programme Development Corporation (PWDC), also expanded its reach into new which was established in 2011, moved territory this year in the effort to Gender equality into its fourth year of operations. create an enabling environment for is the cornerstone PWDC, being the first organisation of the development of more and better its kind in our political history, has been women leaders, particularly at the of social justice. We breaking new ground since day one. It local level. We presented sessions on cannot speak of a delights me to share that this year has gender and PWDC’s work in the Kursus society that is truly been no exception, as we continued to JKKK targeted at senior office bearers make strides through our various work of the JKKK, reaching out to over 660 fair and progressive, programmes. local community leaders, including if half its population women leaders from the Briged Wanita does not equally enjoy Through our Gender Responsive Pulau Pinang across all five districts of rights and opportunities and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) the State. We also supported the audit Programme, we welcomed with great of numerous JKKKs across the State that enable each pride the implementation of the first- in terms of assessing their gender individual to live up to in-Penang Community Cleanliness and inclusivity and women’s participation their fullest potential. Security Contracts at PPR Ampangan (setting a 30% minimum as a The path towards and PPR Jalan Sungai. These contracts benchmark) towards determining the were the fruits of years of tireless Best JKKK Award. We launched Tampil: gender equality is efforts by the GRPB Team in building Siri Pemberdayaan Wanita Setempat, one which needs to strong relationships and a culture of a new programme aimed at enhancing be taken not just by participatory governance among the gender awareness and access to local communities there, through the resources among grassroots women, women but also men. GRPB 4-phase process of demographic and organised a Tamil Community In other words, gender surveys, focus group discussions, Women’s Empowerment training equality is everyone’s community voting exercises and session for women from the former responsibility. conveying the voting results to the local estate areas of Seberang Perai Selatan. authorities to ensure that citizens’ voices We also took our Lean In @ Penang – those of various groups of women, forum series into the government men and children in the community – are sector with Lean In @ MBPP and Lean In YB PUAN CHONG ENG not just heard but also given effect to. @ KOMTAR respectively (both of which Chairperson In addition to this major achievement, were very well received), organised an Penang Women’s Development the GRPB Programme also achieved a enhanced Women’s Leadership in Local Corporation first in terms of providing consultation Governance training programme which and support in the Machang Bubuk included not just an extended in-depth Duit Kita Hak Kita (“Our Money, Our workshop on relevant topics, but also Say”) project initiated by the local practical visits to both Local Councils elected representatives there. Overall, for participants to observe full council the GRPB Programme’s work reflects a meetings in full swing, and started success story on how far we have come a new gender awareness talk series in terms of creating and sustaining called “Gender Savvy” reaching out to a vibrant, dynamic and democratic students and youths in various colleges relationship among ordinary citizens in Penang. 2 PENANG WOMEn’s DEVELOPMENT CorporatION (PWDC) ABOUT US We continued our advocacy in support of better access to childcare and family-friendly workplaces through our Women’s Empowerment Support (WES) Programme, including a presentation at the Northern Region Diversity Summit to this effect, and through our Research, Policy and Advocacy (RPA) Programme in support of gender sensitive infrastructure design through the drafting of a Gender-Friendly Checklist as well as various other important PWDC believes that Penang’s people are the key to strategic networking activities. her future and shared prosperity, and that all women and This year, we also organised and men, girls and boys must have the opportunities, rights and supported other groundbreaking freedoms to develop their full potential as citizens. events, including the first ever TEDxWeldQuayWomen in Penang, which featured seven prominent women speakers presenting their bold The Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) is a state agency ideas around the theme, “Momentum”, which works towards the transformation of Penang into an advanced and a public forum critically examining the progressive society through the promotion of equality among all women and situation of Muslim women’s rights men, girls and boys regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or socio-economic in the country and State, and one background. PWDC believes that Penang’s people are the key to her future and which explored the important issue of shared prosperity, and that all women and men, girls and boys must have the retaining women in the workforce. opportunities, rights and freedoms to develop their full potential as citizens. All in, 2015 has been a tremendous year Since its establishment in November 2011, PWDC has played a pivotal role as the for PWDC. key State Government agency working towards the mainstreaming of gender equality, social inclusiveness and good governance across all sectors in Penang. I would like to record my deepest PWDC achieves this by working with partners to plan and implement gender- appreciation for the continued support responsive projects, raise public awareness of gender issues, and build capacity and contributions towards our work among individuals and communities. PWDC also advocates measures to bridge by the Federal and State Government gender gaps between women and men in the economy, public sphere, politics departments and agencies, private and governance. sector, NGOs, and our other partners, volunteers, target communities and As Penang progresses towards its aspiration of being an advanced society, participants as well as members of PWDC will continue to strategise and execute multi-level and multi-pronged the public. I am also grateful to my approaches to bring about meaningful and lasting change. PWDC envisions a colleagues on the PWDC Board of future in which all women and men, girls and boys will have the equal opportunity Directors, PWDC Advisory Committees to fully contribute to and benefit from a Penang which values and upholds the and PWDC management and staff for principles of democratic participation, respect for diversity and individual dignity, their passion and dedication in moving inclusiveness and social justice. our vision forward. As reflected on ourA nnual Report cover this year, together, as conscientious women and men of Penang, we can equip gender equality with the “wings” to fly high. Thank you. ANNUAL REPORT / 2015 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS YB PUAN CHONG ENG CHAIRPERSON YB DR. NORLELA BT ARIFFIN DR. CECILIA NG HAJJAH AIDA CHOON SIM YUSOF RAWA MS. MANGALESWARY A/P V.KUMARASAMY MS. CHIN SOO WAH PUAN HASHIMAH BINTI MOHAMED HASHIM YB YAP SOO HUEY DATIN ROHANA BINTI ABDUL GHANI DATO’ DR. MARINA DAVID YB STEVEN SIM EN. AHMAD MUNAWIR CHEE KEONG BIN ABDUL AZIZ MS. LIM KAH CHENG 4 PENANG WOMEn’s DEVELOPMENT CorporatION (PWDC) ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Chairperson (Penang State Exco for Youth and Sports; Women, Family and Community Development) Board of Directors (13 Directors) Chief Executive Officer Administration & HR Programmes Senior Executive Officer Gender Responsive Human Resources (HR) & Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) Administration & Women’s Finance Empowerment & Leadership (WEL) Communications & External Relations Women’s Empowerment Support (WES) Research, Policy & Advocacy (RPA) ANNUAL REPORT / 2015 5 CAMPAIGN AND PUBLIC EVENT HIGHLIGHTS AN INTRODUCTION very year, PWDC organises events Etargeted at raising public awareness on issues pertaining to women and gender in the State and beyond. Our campaigns and public events typically fall within the months of March and November; March, for the celebration of International Women’s Day that falls on 8 March throughout the entire month, and November, for the commemoration of the global campaign of 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which falls on 25 November.