Women Power In Civil Service
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Women's presence in the Civil Service is more prominent these days judging by their dominance of the second and third highest posts in the Civil Service.

Latest statistics revealed that as of February 2005, women outnumber their male counterparts in the second and third division of the Civil Service. However, men still dominate the senior staff rank in Division I as well as in Division IV and V.

There are 3,465 female civil servants in Division II and 5,534 in Division III, compared to 3,329 male civil servants in Division II and 4,783 in Division III.

These figures were revealed by Hj Johari bin Hj Awang, Director of Personnel Service at the Public Service Department, during a forum on Health, Security and Welfare of Working Women, which was organised by the Women's Graduates Association (PSW) yesterday at the Civil Service Institute.

Hj Johari also spoke on the `Paradigm Transition' in the civil service whereby female civil servants constitute 54 per cent of the total workforce of clerks promoted from level III to level II.

He highlighted the significant achievements of female civil servants during Civil Service Day celebration from 2000 to 2003. Out of the 17 winners for the celebrations in 2000, 12 were female while in-200 1; four out of nine winners were female.

In 2003, four out of seven winners were female. The workforce of female civil servants has also increased over the past five years from 46 per cent in 2000 to 48 per cent (or 20,289) in 2005.

A paper presented by Datin Paduka Hjh Suraya, a member of PSW, highlighted that while women contribute to 50 per cent of the workforce in public and private sectors, they still face discrimination in a workplace dominated by men.

She also highlighted safety at the workplace, acts relating to pregnant women, night shifts and its risk to pregnant women.

According to Chairperson of the Forum, Dr Hjh Masnon, the forum aimed to discuss issues relating to the risk and dangers facing women while working. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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