U.S. Embassy Celebrates 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

Ambassador Jones posing for photos with some of the participants.

The U.S. Embassy, in cooperation with the Persatuan Kesedaran Selangor (EMPOWER) celebrated International Women’s Day with a ceremony on March 8 that brought together over 70 women: leaders and organizers, political party officials and aspiring politicians, MPs, activists and community organizers.

After a musical performance by Liyana Fizi, CEO of PKKS, EMPOWER, Maria Chin Abdullah, welcomed guests and introduced the “Menjana Kuasa Wanita”
project currently being implemented by Empower with support from the US State Department of State.  

Ambassador Jones spoke briefly and introduced a special video message from Ambassador Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues sending her congratulations to the women of Malaysia on this important day.
 
Three guest speakers shared the stage:  Ms. Shanthi Dairiam, former Malaysian Committee Member for the Convention for the Elimination for Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) spoke about worldwide track records in increasing women’s political participation, and her hopes that Malaysia will move closer to its stated goal of minimally increasing women’s political participation by 30% in policy and decision-making.  Parliamentarians YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Dato’ Othman, MP of Penggeran (UMNO), who exhorted women to be strong, and to take advantage of technology in their political work, in especially for networking, as most women have limited time for face to face networking because so many politically active women bear a double burden of career, and family life.  YB Fuziah Salleh, MPKuantan (PKR) shared their personal reflections on being a Malaysian woman in politics today. 

A highlight of the morning was when YB Azalina asked the audience to give a round of applause for Hillary Clinton, for inspiring women around the world, and for all that she has done to advance the issues affecting women and girls.
 
Ambassador Jones, meeting with members of the media after the event alongside his fellow speakers, expressed pride that the U.S. Embassy was a partner in the efforts of PKKS/EMPOWER -- for today's event, and also in its effort to grow women’s political participation in the state of Selangor.

Attendees in conversation after the event discussed the great importance of networking for women in Malaysia, where they can join forces, exchange ideas and be inspired by such discussions to advance women’s equality and for the betterment of their communities.  Some participants also noted that today's event gave them motivation and determination to be more fully committed to the political process in Malaysia.