Malaysian women see PM's wife as a role model, head of women organization says

From Zuriati Zulmi

ISTANBUL, May 4 (Bernama) -- Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Malaysian prime
minister, is a good role model to women especially to First Ladies around the
world, the President of the Global Summit of Women 2011, Irene Natividad,
said.

"I have read her speeches regarding women and I thought that she is somebody
we should have at the summit and I send her the invitation," she told the
Malaysian media here.

"I am delighted that she is able to accept it," she added.

Natividad also spoke of the role of First Ladies, which she described as
special and one that could impact the people's lives in their respective
countries in a different way from government officials.

"I think your First Lady is a good role model," she said.

There are 1,000 participants from 81 countries taking part at the summit
here from May 5 to 7.

The summit, themed "Women: Bridging solutions to the 21st Century", is an
annual forum where eminent personalities and national leaders draw up the
direction, strategies and programmes towards enhancing women's achievements in
the fields of economic and entrepreneurship.

The summit also provides opportunities to participants to exchange views and
share their experiences on good practises to raise the standard of economy of
women in their respective countries.

Rosmah is scheduled to deliver her keynote address and will be one of the
panel members at the First Ladies Forum on Friday along with the Turkish Prime
Minister's wife Emine Erdogan and the Namibian First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba.

On Wednesday, Rosmah is scheduled to attend the Small and Medium Industry
Development Organisation for Networking and held dialogue with Malaysian women
entrepreneurs at a hotel here.

She will also be given the honour to ring the Istanbul stock market opening
bell on Wednesday morning.