BROADCAST MEDIA ASKED TO AIR MORE WOMEN`S PRORGAMMES

PETALING JAYA, May 30 (Bernama) -- The broadcast media should air more
programmes on women so that their rights and importance to the country continues
to be championed, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais
Yatim.

He said currently Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the government-owned
broadcaster for television and radio in Malaysia, was doing this in the
interest of their future in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

"I urge RTM's counterparts like TV3, Astro, TV9 and others to do the same,"
he told a press conference after launching a forum on the Asean Charter entitled
"The Position of Women" organised by the National Council of Women's
Organisations (NCWO), here Saturday.

According to Rais, NCWO had also been asked to cooperate with the ministry
in the matter by orgainising programmes which could create greater awareness
among the people on gender equality.

On the status of women in Asean countries, Rais said the situation now had
improved tremendously in terms of equality with men.


"The goal is to have full gender equality in the whole Asean region.
However, we find that although the Asean Charter's statutes touch on human
rights, under Article 14 of the charter women's rights are not included," he
said.

However, Rais said this did not mean Asean countries were not implementing
programmes that championed women's rights.

"Ideally, organisations like NCWO should exist in each Asean country.
After that with their combined strength they can urge the Asean secretariat for
women and children's rights to be given priority in Article 14 of the charter,"
said Rais.


-- BERNAMA