Wanita Umno will be more aggressive in approaching women professionals and corporate members to help alleviate their position.

The movement leader, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said these group of women were the decision-makers and they contributed to the country’s development, but were not given due recognition.

“Wanita Umno will form a group specially to focus on championing this group of women professionals. I will also meet them periodically to know issues facing them.

“We are not pursuing just political issues, but to also look after the interests of women in all fields,” she told reporters at the ‘Women Power Talk’ programme in Kuala Lumpur today.

The speakers at the event included Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah and Deputy Higher Education Minister Mary Yap Kain Ching.

Shahrizat said Wanita Umno would also develop a database to gather information on women professionals and corporate figures.

“We have applied for funds from Umno Malaysia for the purpose and it has been approved,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Husni praised Wanita Umno for the initiative taken.

In his speech, he said in a country which is moving towards achieving developed nation status, there is a need for all quarters to equip themselves with knowledge, skills and new technology to be able to keep abreast with others.

“Now, the world landscape has changed where the people should not be too dependent on the government, there should be capacity building,” he added.

- Bernama