THE Penang government has been giving much emphasis on championing equal rights for women and this was proven when the gender inclusiveness policy was introduced in the state.
This was conveyed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who attended the opening ceremony of the Big Tulip Summit at the Jen Hotel today.
“When we (state government) introduced the ‘Penang2030’ last year, we vowed to create an inclusive and people centric state.
“In making this a reality, gender inclusiveness is the main element to spur economic development and general well-being,” he said.
The two-day summit, with the theme ‘Dare to Dream – Make It Happen’, was organised by the Universiti Utara Malaysia’s (UUM) Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB) with the collaboration of Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), and supported by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
“The Penang government has sworn to transform our society from the orthodox view on the roles played by men and women so that women will have the opportunity to reach their potential.
“In supporting Penang2030 vision, I am glad to say that we have adopted the gender inclusiveness policy making us the first state to adopt such a policy in Malaysia.
“The policy promotes gender balanced management by a ratio of 40:20:20 (40 % men, 40 % women, 20 % men or women) in leadership positions,” Chow added.
Chow also shared that the Penang is the first state to have ‘Women and Family Development Committee’ (JPWK) in each constituency to organise various programmes for the benefit of women and family as a whole.
“We have appointed 600 women leaders to serve the different communities across the state.
“The state government wishes to open up more opportunities so as to develop and grow more women leaders.
“We are serious in proving the belief that given the opportunity, women can be great leaders and are able to break the stereotypes imposed on them,” he said.
Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Religions Other Than Islam, in her keynote address, encouraged women to seize the opportunity given to them and take up the challenge of becoming a leader.
“Sometimes it will not be easy for a woman to become a leader as she will be bogged with her responsibilities as a woman.
“This is where men must play their part by sharing the responsibilities with women to enable them to propel.
“At the same time, when there is an opportunity for women to become leaders, we must take it,” Chong Eng said.
Chong Eng ended her address with a strong message to all women out there, which is do not be ‘conformed’ to what the society requires.
“Be what you want to be, not what the society wants you to be!
“This is for the boys as well, as gender discrimination should not take place for both genders,” she said.
Also present were UUM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Penang Women’s Development Corporation chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng.
At the summit, influential leaders will be sharing their personal stories to inspire the participants to realise their dreams.
The state government has played its part in supporting the programme by contributing RM22,000.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud