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Rosmah: Be proud of gov’t’s empowerment of women

The people should be proud to have a government that recognises women as a nation building partner, with their participation in the workforce is currently at 52 per cent, says Rosmah Mansor.

The wife of the BN chairperson said the government under the coalition was always sensitive to issues related to women, and never neglected women in drafting its development policies.

"The government has played a very significant role in the development and empowerment of women. Various measures, initiatives and programmes have been introduced to bring women to a higher level.

"All initiatives implemented are inclusive. This is evident by the increase access to education, job opportunities and socioeconomic changes among women that enable them to move progressively and have an opportunity to contribute actively to national development,” she said when speaking at the closing of the ‘The Power of Knowledge’ talk in Kuala Lumpur today.

Rosmah, who is also the Charitable and Welfare Association of Ministers' Wives (Bakti) president, said Malaysia was the only country in the Asean region to target at least 30 percent of women at decision-making level in the public and corporate sectors.

"As a result of the policy, in 2016 the country surpassed the target by achieving 35.8 percent of women at the highest management level in the public sector, while the corporate sector is nearing its target of 29.9 per cent," she said.

In the field of education, she said the education level of women was substantial, for example, through the enrolment of female students in public institutions of higher learning which had reached 64 percent in 2015.

Rosmah noted that the achievements of women in Malaysia’s leadership was undeniable, and that for which, history had witnessed women’s ability to govern a nation or become the leader of an influential organisation in several developed countries.

“In Malaysia, big names like Aishah Ghani (photo), Ibu Zain (Zainon Munshi Sulaiman) and Uma Sambanthan are among the women personalities who have become leaders and have given invaluable contribution in efforts to uplift women in this country.

“Now as a result of the continuation of the struggles of women in the past, several women figures have emerged at present such as Hazimah Zainuddin, who is successful in the lubricant oil business, Vivy Yusof who shines in the fashion field, and in the field of sports, there are Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Farah Ann Abdul Hadi," she said.

Meanwhile Rosmah said in the political sector, women were the backbone of their respective parties, hence their role was very crucial especially during elections.

"Hence ahead of the 14th general election to ensure the victory in favour of the BN government, I urge all women components to be united, form consensus and solidarity, spreading the spirit of the party’s struggle and fulfilling the needs of the people at the grassroots level.

“All the components are urged to formulate goodwill and multiracial programmes so that racial prejudice will not be stirred,” Rosmah said, adding that she was confident this comprehensive transformation would enable BN parties continued to be trusted and remained relevant to their communities in face of a challenging political environment.

Earlier in her speech, Rosmah said the ‘The Power of Knowledge’ talk programme was very timely as it has outlined relevant topics and issues to discussed at the present time.

Through the programme context, she hoped that women would gain new knowledge and guidance that was constructive as well as a motivation to venture into something new.

- Bernama

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