WOMEN traders and market-goers at the crowded Chowrasta Market received a pleasant surprise when Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his team presented them with flowers to mark the International Women’s Day.
The entourage, joined by Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and Senator Lim Hui Ying, happily distributed some 400 flowers to the women at the market.
Among the traders who received the flowers were Kang Bee Koon, 46, and Selina Ang, 42.
Ang said that she was very thankful to the Chief Minister and his team for acknowledging the contributions of women in the society.
“It is a good gesture from the leaders. They show that they care for the people,” she said.
Chow said the distribution of flowers started more than 10 years ago.
“We have been doing this for over 10 years as a symbolic gesture to show that we appreciate the contributions of women in the state.
“It is also a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of gender parity.
“We notice that the awareness level among men has increased.
“Many people are now aware that the flowers are given to women to recognise their contributions.
“Many men had asked for the flowers in the past; probably due to the lack of awareness,” he told a press conference today.
The International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8 every year.
The International Women’s Day 2020 campaign theme is #EachforEqual.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Alissala Thian