Political opportunity and participation of Iban women in Sarawak / Jelawai Anak Munang

This research is focusing on Political Opportunity and Participation of Iban Women particularly in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia. The Iban is one of the ethnics in Sarawak and has the highest number in population or 30 per cent of its population. The Iban’s migration to Sarawak from Kapuas, Kalimantan Indonesia has brought us back to the history and origin of this ethnic group. Although the Ibans comprise the largest number among the races or ethnics groups in Sarawak, the Iban Women’s political participation and opportunity is considered very low due to the strong influence of its culture and traditions towards its egalitarianism societies. The idea was triggered based on observation whereby only a few Iban women were involved in politics and most importantly, there was yet to be any of them ever contested or being elected in Sarawak general election since Sarawak independence in 1963 under Malaysia. Therefore, the main focus of this research is to explore the reasons behind low political opportunity and participation and also to determine the influence of culture and tradition in Iban egalitarianism society towards Iban women’s political opportunity and participation in Sarawak. A qualitative method is used in the research where it involved the gathering and collecting of data. The findings presented are supporting both of the research objectives. Among the reasons behind low political opportunity and participation were: Dayak women were not given opportunity to contest in general election; lacking of network activities; party leader were selecting family members as election candidates; lacking of awareness on the importance of education; cake is too small concept or limited posts; and only those with interest and patience will last long in politics. The findings also showed that there was significant influence of culture and tradition towards the Iban women’s political opportunity and participation. The finding also showed one significant contribution to Sarawak politics through the making of breakthrough by electing one Iban woman as contestant in the coming general election (GE14).