Zumba fun as women celebrate their day

THE Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) of Padang Lalang celebrated the International Women’s Day (IWD) by successfully organising ‘Let’s Zumba’.

One hundred and fifty people, who were in mostly all purple outfit, went through the dance fitness workout with loads of fun at the DO Hill in Bukit Mertajam on March 9.

State Women, Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng thanked her constituency’s JPWK for organising the mass event but more importantly for creating awareness on IWD.

“Women’s Day holds a great significance and it’s becoming a custom today year after year. It’s the celebration of respect, appreciation, love and care towards women in your life and in the society,’ Chong Eng said in her speech.

“I’m glad that Women’s Day is celebrated everywhere nowadays so that respect and care for women are instilled in the minds of the young generation, right from their childhood days.

Chong Eng (centre, wearing purple-green T-shirt) joining participants of ‘Let’s Zumba’ for a photograph at DO Hill in Bukit Mertajam.

“Today, women have started realising their strengths and abilities. They are ready to step out of their home, contributing to the success of their home and society.

“We’ve to respect women not because of the gender, but for their own identity. We’ve to accept that both men and women contribute equally to the betterment of the home and society.

“Every woman is special, no matter where she works – at home or in office. She is making a difference to the world around her, and most importantly, plays a major role in upbringing children and building a home.”

Chong Eng, who was happy to note the participants’ high spirits, also encouraged women to take up politics as well as have their own income to be financially independent.

Apart from the good response for ‘Let’s Zumba’, Padang Lalang JPWK must be credited for fully supporting ‘no single use plastic’ during the event. Which meant the participants had to bring their own reusable water bottle or container for food.

Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Chong Eng’s office