WOMEN ARE CATALYST OF DEVELOPMENT

KUALA LUMPUR : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak described the women of today as effective movers of global growth with enhanced access to education and the power of purchase.

Najib, who is also the acting Women, Family and Community Development Minister, cited the 2012 Women’s Economic Opportunity report published in The Economist saying women’s involvement in the workforce had enhanced the economies of developing nations in the 20th century.

“In fact, women’s involvement in the workforce is seen as an economic and business catalyst,” he said during a speech at the 50th Women’s Day Dinner organised by the National Council of Women’s Organisation, here today.

Najib’s speech was delivered by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development secretary general, Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur. Also present at the event was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Hamimah, Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism deputy minister, Datuk Rohani Abd Karim, Human Resource deputy minister, Datuk Maznah Mazlan, Energy, Green Technology and Water deputy minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and NCWO president Prof Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hassan Shahabuddin.

Najib announced a RM500,000 allocation to NCWO to enable it to carry out its programmes. (Bernama)