MALAYSIAN PM` WIFE CALLS FOR SETTING UP OF NIEW REGIONAL OFFICES

From Mokhtar Hussain

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, July 16 (Bernama) -- Rosmah Mansor, wife of the
Malaysian prime minister, has called for the establishment of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW) at the regional
level.

Speaking at the inaugural NAM First Ladies Summit at this Egyptian Red
Sea resort city Wednesday, Rosmah urged all NAM First Ladies to take particular
interest in ensuring the setting up of NIEW regional offices as proposed by
Malaysia at the second NAM Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Women in
Guatemala.

"If you want something said, ask a man, if you want something done, ask a
woman," she quoted the words of former British prime minister Lady Margaret
Thatcher.

At the same time, Rosmah urged the NAM First Ladies to demonstrate their
commitment in empowering women by setting up similar centres in their respective
countries.

She said the establishment of regional NIEW offices would ensure capacity
building and networking of women in NAM member countries.

"This will meet the growing needs and prepare women for the challenges ahead
including crisis management at regional and international level," she said.

The two-day NAM First Ladies Summit, themed "Women in Crisis Management -
Perspective On Current Challenges, Best Practices and Lessons Learned" was
hosted by Suzanne Mubarak, wife of the Egyptian president.

Rosmah was accompanied by Women, Family and Community Development Minister
senator Shahrizat Jalil at the summit.

The establishment of NIEW, currently based in Kuala Lumpur, was initiated by
Malaysia during its tenure as the movement's chairman from 2003 to 2006.

In her speech, Rosmah also shared the experience of the Association of Wives
of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) in helping the needy and the less
privileged, including victims of disasters like fires, floods and landslides, by
providing scholarships, medical and health assistance and facilities.

Rosmah, who is also Bakti president, said women and children of the
Bosnian conflict, casualties of the earthquake in Indonesia, the 2006 tsunami in
Indonesia and Sri Lanka as well as victims of the Gaza conflict had benefited
from such aid.

She said that similar efforts were also being undertaken by the wives of
state assemblymen in all the states in Malaysia.

Rosmah said women NGOs in Malaysia not only complemented government efforts
but also ensured that critical issues affecting women were always kept within
the radar of the government.

"Our women NGOs play a very active advocacy role in issues such as managing
domestic crises and violence against women.

"In fact, they are responsible for initiating the formulation of the
Domestic Violence Act, which is one of the most important laws on managing
family crisis," she added.

The prime minister's wife said the Malaysian government put emphasis on the
importance of the participation of women in society, thus the setting up of a
special Ministry for Women, Family and Community Development in 2001.

On the role of First Ladies, Rosmah said they were in a unique position in
playing a positive role for the benefit of the country.

"While the First Lady is who she is because of her husband, the fact remains
that she can play a significant role in complementing the efforts of the
government in areas that have impact on families, women and children," she said.
-- BERNAMA