Brunei ranks 11th in higher education for women: WEF

Koo Jin Shen
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI ranks 11th in the world when it comes to women in higher education, according to the 2012 Global Gender Gap report by World Economic Forum, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Representing Brunei at the 4th Ministerial Conference on The Role Of Women in Development of the Organisation of The Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman reiterated the Sultanate's commitment to improving the status of women in the country.

The deputy minister said it was compulsory for all children to be in full-time education, and that the order had been enforced since 2007. Additionally, Muslim children would have to undergo compulsory religious education from January 2013.

Datin Paduka Hjh Adina also said Brunei was increasing women's participation in the workplace. She said the ratio of female to male workers was 62 to 78, adding that women also received equal pay and that Brunei ranked 35th in the global report, in terms of women's participation in the fields of law, management and shareholding in senior positions.

To achieve sustainable growth, Brunei is focused on developing its human resources by encouraging greater participation by women in national development, human rights and social justice, she said.

Women are seen as a driving force for socio-economic development, she said, pointing out that the Special Committee on Women's Issues had approved the National Action Plan on Women and the Family Institution. The action plan covers law, policy, economics, education, health and work-life harmony.

The Fourth Conference carried the theme "Strengthening Participation and the Role of Women in Economic Development in OIC Countries".

Attended by 172 delegates from 43 OIC member states, the conference approved the "Jakarta Declaration", which among other things outlines the commitment of member states to empowering women in the area of economics, education, health, employment and the provision of training.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times