MALAYSIAN PM'S WIFE LEAVES HER MARK AT DUBAI LEADERSHIP FORUM

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's voice was heard loud and clear at the
recently-concluded Women in Leadership Forum when the Southeast Asian nation was
represented by Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Her thought-provoking keynote address at the event, which brought together
some 300 influential women from the political, business and academic spheres
from across the globe, capped a brief but successful visit to this Middle
Eastern city.

Rosmah had come prepared for her task as the first speaker at the forum,
based on her speech designed to spur women to greater heights.

"Let us work hand-in-hand in pushing the cause of women forward. After all,
women only have each other but that's all we need if we can stand together,
united as one," she told her attentive audience gathered at the conference hall
in the Atlantis Hotel, off the coast of Dubai.

By the time Rosmah uttered that final sentence, she had provided invaluable
insights into what women should consider doing to rise to the leadership
challenge in whatever fields they may be in.

More importantly, she had woven into her narrative Malaysia's experience in
addressing women's issues as well as the role that could be played by first
ladies in advancing the women's agenda.

In Malaysia, she said, women had been appointed to head ministries,
the Central Bank, the Securities Commission, universities as well banks and
multinational corporations.

Being aware of the considerable influence that could be wielded by the first
ladies of the world, she proposed the convening of the Summit of First Ladies on
Nurturing Women Leaders to be held in Malaysia next year.

As the clouds of uncertainty continue to swirl over large swathes of the
global political and economic landscape, she said: "I do ponder at times
what the world would be like if we were to have more women as leaders.

"Women are by nature more intuitive and quite averse to violence.
They are better at building relationships."

Women, she argued, were better at conquering hearts rather than conquering
nations.

"Perhaps in this day and age, it's precisely this kind of leadership
that's sorely needed," Rosmah observed, painting a world very different
from today's world where, with more women at the helm, more money would
likely be spent on children's welfare and education rather than buying
weapons.

Describing the speech as a wake-up call for women, a Middle Eastern
participant later commented: "It has loads of pointers for women to attain
greater progress."

The hard-hitting keynote address may be the highlight of Rosmah's trip to
Dubai, but a visit to the Al Noor Training Centre For Children With Special
Needs revealed another facet of the lady -- one which shows that her love for
children knows no boundary.

Surrounded by intellectually-challenged children and young adults,
Rosmah melted at the sight of Safiya Fairooz, a four-year-old girl with
Down's Syndrome.

She and her delegation donated around RM20,000 (US$5,878) to the centre,
expressing hope that caregivers in Malaysia would take a leaf from the Dubai
facility in matters pertaining to the development of children with special
needs.

Rosmah also had an audience with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife
of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is United Arab Emirates' (UAE)
Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Discussions between the two women revolved around how Malaysia and
UAE, especially Dubai, could learn from each other's experience in the care
and development of children with special needs.

Rosmah also invited Princess Haya to attend the proposed summit of first
ladies, as well as to visit Malaysia.

Her itinerary in Dubai also saw her meeting members of the Malaysian
community in the UAE for a joint Aidilfitri and Deepavali celebration.

"It was nice of her to spend time with us. Her message of unity and
the need to bring down barriers among us, Malaysians, was lovely," said a
Malaysian architect who attended the event.
-- BERNAMA