"Women Must Be Proactive And Strive For Further Success"

TAIPING (Perak, Malaysia), Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Better access to education, employment opportunities and socio-cultural changes in society have enabled women to progress and contribute actively to the development of the country, said Prime Minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor. She said this scenario was further strengthened by the government's support which constantly cared about women's needs and issues and recognised them as partners in nation building. "But looking at the changes in the socio-politic and geo-economic landscape now, we cannot be nostalgic with our past achievements and not create new successes. We cannot live on our past contributions alone," she said at a meet the people session with the northern state of Perak Community Women Leaders at the Rakan Muda Complex in Kamunting here, on Saturday. She described women as being able to multi-task, not just in their main roles as mothers and wives but also as being of service to the community via non-governmental organisations and as part of the country's workforce and human capital as well. "We can achieve this success because women are mothers in society, with the fundamental role to educate, guide and mold a highly cultured generation," she said. From a leadership aspect, women should seize the opportunity to understand and feel the pulse of the people and be ready to serve them, emphasised Rosmah. "The approach must be changed. Whereas before, actions used to be based on printed reports and information only, now women must be proactive and venture to the grass roots and gauge the situation for themselves," she said. Rosmah is accompanying Prime Minister Najib Razak on his two-day working visit to Perak state. They are scheduled for another meet the people session in Larut town later Saturday afternoon. -- BERNAMA Malaysia