A massive gathering of women from various races will be held in Alor Setar in February next year under the women's aspirations programme, said National Women and Family Development Council chairperson Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

"The council will gather feedback from women on their aspirations, views, suggestions and concerns pertaining to women's programmes at the assembly," she told reporters after launching the Women's Aspiration Programme for north zone in Alor Setar today.

She said the resolutions adopted at the gathering would be submitted to the prime minister to be channelled to respective ministries for follow-up action.

Shahrizat, who is also Wanita Umno chief, said during the council's visit to the north and central zones, it found that many women were still not aware of facilities such as the Tekun Nasional (Tekun) loan scheme provided by the government to assist them.

"We need to enlighten women on various government assistance available for them," she said.

- Bernama