MSIAN PM'S WIFE WANTS WOMEN ORGANISATIONS TO ENHANCE ROLE

KUCHING (Malaysia), Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The role of women organisations in
helping government to address social problems should be enhanced and expanded to
cover aspects on religion, moral and welfare, the Prime Minister's wife, Rosmah
Mansor said Monday.

This, she said, would enable them to play a more effective role, especially
in dealing with cases of youngsters and women who became pregnant out of
wed-lock.

Integrated programmes, including campaigns, should be carried out to instil
awareness among youngsters on illicit sex, with the help of the relevant
government agencies, she said in her speech at a function attended by
non-governmental organisations in Sarawak (an East Malaysia state) Monday.

The function was held in conjunction with Prime Minister Najib
Tun Razak's visit to Sarawak.

On the recent cases of abandoned babies, Rosmah said it happened possibly
because the unwed mothers were afraid and had no place to turn to.

Hence, she said, women organisations should advice those in such a dilemma,
like sending their babies to welfare homes.

Women organisations played an important role in the society because of their
close link with the grassroots, she added.

-- BERNAMA