Women’s Political Participation and Leadership in Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: Challenges, Strategies, and Future Directions

Women remain underrepresented in Malaysian politics despite ongoing efforts to promote gender equality. This study explored the gender-related challenges encountered by women politicians during Malaysia’s 2023 State Election and how they navigated these barriers in pursuing political leadership. A qualitative narrative inquiry design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women politicians from Selangor and Kelantan, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that participants encountered structural, cultural, and interpersonal barriers, including gender stereotypes, tokenism, and competing family and political responsibilities. Despite these challenges, they implemented various strategies, including resilience, relational leadership, community engagement, and drawing on support from family, political parties, and local communities. The study provides new insights into how women negotiate gender-related challenges within Malaysia’s political context and highlights the importance of gender-responsive institutions, leadership development, and supportive political environments to strengthen women’s political leadership and representation.