Rohani (sixth right) leads the cake-cutting ceremony. On her left is Azizah, while Sarawak’s Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah is at front third left.
Rohani stresses a point during the TN50 dialogue.
Rohani (third right) joins other distinguished guests for a photo call at the event.
A delegate, representing the disabled, uses sign language at the TN50 dialogue.
Najib delivers his address at the TN50 dialogue.
KUALA LUMPUR: Women in Malaysia have been far more successful at playing various roles in all fields compared to those in most countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the level of success attained by Malaysian women can be seen through their involvement in and contribution to the economy.
“As can be seen, there are 700,000 women in the workforce sector whose impact accounts for 0.3 per cent in contribution to the nation’s GDP (gross domestic product).
“In the education sector, there was a rise (in the percentage of women) at IPTA (public institutions of higher learning) from 62.5 per cent in 2011 to 64 per cent in 2015, while those at PhD (doctorate) level education also increased from 43 per cent in 2011 to 44 per cent in 2013,” he said during the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogue in conjunction with the National Women’s Day 2017 celebration here on Monday.
“This is a great development. We can also see that there are many women out there who are involved in boosting the nation’s economy – many of whom are holding high positions.
“In the corporate sector, 16.8 per cent of the women are at the management level of public listed companies (PLCs),” he said.
Empowering women
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the theme for this year’s celebration ‘Women: Changing the
Global Economy’ was chosen to highlight the key roles of women towards realising the nation’s goals, especially in economic development – in that, they could become agents of change in the global economy.
“Indirectly, this theme also acknowledges the contributions of Malaysian women in ensuring the nation’s stability and progress. Women should be seen not just in their role bearing children or being homemakers, but also contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
“The dominating presence of women at the nation’s IPTs (tertiary institutions) – at 70 per cent – should also be reflected in the percentage of women contributing to the economy and development of the country. Women’s involvement in the workforce, which stood at 54.3 per cent last year, has to be improved further,” she said.
Rohani said this was the first time the ministry hosted the Global Women’s Trade Summit 2017, which gathered delegates from countries such as Mongolia, Australia and Japan.
“Such an event could provide a platform for women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to share with one another their ideas, experiences as well as aspirations and, most importantly, for them to promote their products to the global market.
“This event offers the space and platform for women to further their achievements in their respective fields of business,” she said.
Meanwhile, the TN50 dialogue gave the opportunity to Najib and Rohani to listen to the aspirations of 18 women from diverse backgrounds.
Among those present were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.