GEORGE TOWN: The International Women’s Day celebration at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yesterday was aimed at raising awareness on the struggles of women and recognising their needs in the New Economic Model framework.
Themed ‘Humanising Women’s Work in the New Economic Model: Reflecting on Decades of Women and Work in Malaysia’, the event was jointly organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (Waba) and the Women’s Development Research Centre (Kanita) of USM.
In its statement today, Waba said the event aimed at advocating for a social environment that would enable women to balance their productive and reproductive work, including child care and breastfeeding.
At the event, Waba also honoured five women who have courageously worked for their passions and livelihood, as well as nurtured their families.
They were actress Mariani Ismail, taxi driver Che Puteh Ismail, National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) representative A Karunapikai, Waba representative Norjinah Moin and housewife Teoh Siew Cheng.
During the panel discussion, all the panellists explained to the audience how they struggled to juggle their work and family.
Earlier, the event was officiated by Puan Sri Masrah Abidin, the wife of USM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak. — Bernama