ID :
164002
Fri, 02/25/2011 - 13:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/164002
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN WOMEN LITERACY RATE VERY HIGH
By Manik Mehta
NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The literacy rate amongst Malaysian women and girls is 99 per cent, a very high level not only in Asia, but global as well.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said for Malaysia, gender equality was very important.
"Amendment to the Malaysian constitution – article 8 – explicitly states that there will be no discrimination on gender basis," she told Bernama in an interview here Friday.
Leading a high-powered Malaysian delegation to the United Nations (UN) here, Shahrizat passionately espoused women’s cause at the 55th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
"It is important for Malaysia to have its voice heard at the UN. This is also good time to do networking which is so valuable," she said, pointing out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's vision was for women development, as well as for economic transformation plan and women's crucial role in the plan.
Shahrizat’s four-day visit here which ended Friday, was aimed at
underscoring Malaysia’s "strong commitment to issues of gender equality and empowerment of women, and through Malaysia’s Presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2010".
Hamidon Ali, Malaysia’s permanent representative to the UN, who had chaired the ECOSOC, had also accentuated women’s issues in the ECOSOC agenda.
Shahrizat said she discussed the various programmes and strategies to help women in Asean and, particularly Malaysia, during her meeting with Michelle Bachelet, the UN Women executive director and former president of Chile.
She said Malaysia's own programme on promoting women's interest was "incredibly in sync with that of the UN Women, such as expanding women’s voice, leadership and participation, and ending violence against women, among others.
According to Shahrizat, Bachelet was “very impressed” with the situation of women in Malaysia and the multiracial character of Malaysian society.
"Malaysian women have choices and opportunities. Prime Minister Najib’s moderate course is also appreciated by UN agencies. She (Bachelet) is looking forward to closely working with our ministry.
"We are interested to work towards (the) economic empowerment of women and giving them leadership roles. Investing in women is smart economics. And my dream is to see that every woman has her own wallet!," said Shahrizat.
She also had an opportunity to interact with her counterparts from other countries such as China, Brazil, Korea, Bangladesh and Caribbean.
Besides that, Shahrizat also met Babatunde Osotimahin, the executive director of UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and fellow Malaysian Jemilah Mahmood, the head of UNFPA's humanitarian section.
NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The literacy rate amongst Malaysian women and girls is 99 per cent, a very high level not only in Asia, but global as well.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said for Malaysia, gender equality was very important.
"Amendment to the Malaysian constitution – article 8 – explicitly states that there will be no discrimination on gender basis," she told Bernama in an interview here Friday.
Leading a high-powered Malaysian delegation to the United Nations (UN) here, Shahrizat passionately espoused women’s cause at the 55th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
"It is important for Malaysia to have its voice heard at the UN. This is also good time to do networking which is so valuable," she said, pointing out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's vision was for women development, as well as for economic transformation plan and women's crucial role in the plan.
Shahrizat’s four-day visit here which ended Friday, was aimed at
underscoring Malaysia’s "strong commitment to issues of gender equality and empowerment of women, and through Malaysia’s Presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2010".
Hamidon Ali, Malaysia’s permanent representative to the UN, who had chaired the ECOSOC, had also accentuated women’s issues in the ECOSOC agenda.
Shahrizat said she discussed the various programmes and strategies to help women in Asean and, particularly Malaysia, during her meeting with Michelle Bachelet, the UN Women executive director and former president of Chile.
She said Malaysia's own programme on promoting women's interest was "incredibly in sync with that of the UN Women, such as expanding women’s voice, leadership and participation, and ending violence against women, among others.
According to Shahrizat, Bachelet was “very impressed” with the situation of women in Malaysia and the multiracial character of Malaysian society.
"Malaysian women have choices and opportunities. Prime Minister Najib’s moderate course is also appreciated by UN agencies. She (Bachelet) is looking forward to closely working with our ministry.
"We are interested to work towards (the) economic empowerment of women and giving them leadership roles. Investing in women is smart economics. And my dream is to see that every woman has her own wallet!," said Shahrizat.
She also had an opportunity to interact with her counterparts from other countries such as China, Brazil, Korea, Bangladesh and Caribbean.
Besides that, Shahrizat also met Babatunde Osotimahin, the executive director of UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and fellow Malaysian Jemilah Mahmood, the head of UNFPA's humanitarian section.
