CHAPTER 1 It is the Commission’s view that the development and participation of women in the legal, social, and economic fields in Malaysia is integral to the realisation of Vision 2020 and part of the agenda of the SDGs towards reducing inequalities.9 The Commission also notes that improvement in the health, education, and economic fields can further improve quality of life and further reduce inequalities. The aim to reduce inequalities has become one of the main goals of the SDGs10 and it is important for the Commission, various Government agencies, and civil society to work together to improve and enhance various aspects of women’s development in order to achieve greater value. In view thereof, the Commission held a RTD on CEDAW with various Government agencies and NGOs on 12 October 2016 in order to seek their views and information on the development of women-related issues. The information gathered will be included in the Commission’s parallel report to the CEDAW Committee. The objectives of the RTD were as follows: i) To engage with various Government agencies and exchange knowledge on the development of women-related issues in Malaysia; ii) To seek further information, data, and responses on achievements regarding gender parity in Malaysia; and iii) To obtain responses to issues relating to women from the aspects of law and policy. Four main issues were discussed in the RTD and they were as follows: i) Access to legal support and justice; ii) Health, welfare, and education; iii) Employment opportunities; and iv) Special measures/protection. However, the Commission still faces challenges in gathering information for the purpose of preparing the parallel report. Information generated from this RTD may not be adequate to assist the Commission in preparing the report. This is due to the fact that some issues, for example economic development for women in rural areas, is not directly under the purview of the MWFCD. While there were representatives from the relevant Departments, comprehensive information on the achievement of the economic plan was not fully presented in the meeting. This has hampered the Commission in digesting the information and in its understanding of the issues raised. 9 UNDP Malaysia, “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, <http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/post-2015/ sdg-overview.html> 10 Ibid 32 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 suhakam 2new.indd 32 3/23/17 5:54 PM