Week-long Celebration for International Women’s Day
Jusco Kinta City will be a hive of activities as plans to celebrate International Women’s Day will be held in the lobby from March 8 to 14. An opening ceremony will see a cheerleading display by the Titans, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by State Executive Councillor Dato’ Hamidah Osman, President of Perak Women for Women (PWW) Dr. Sharifah Halima, and President of Soroptimist International Ipoh (SI Ipoh) Jeya Jeyaratnam. The two NGOs, PWW and Si Ipoh, are the organisers of the event. Dato’ Hamidah will then lead the advocacy activity by sticking mock figures of both male and female to signify “equality” and “progress for all”, followed by invited guests who will also add their signatures. This is to signify support for the United Nations theme this year – EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
The purpose of the week is to focus on eliminating all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls; fostering the respect of human rights and working for social justice in the community; to motivate and to empower women; to advance women’s equality and participation in society by working to bring about social, political and economic change for women; to make new connections and gain inspirational business tips through their winning formula of different networking activities; to bring communities together and build cohesion; and also to celebrate and to mark the successes and achievement of women in the society.
A total of 12 booths from various NGOs such as organizers PWW and SI Ipoh, Rose Virginie Good Shepherd, Buddies, Legal Aid Bureau, Befrienders, KAMI, Pink Champion, as well as health providers, KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital, Fatimah Hospital and the social welfare unit of Ipoh General Hospital, will be on hand from 10am to 10 pm everyday throughout the week offering activities such as: Advocacy for Equal Opportunities by PWW; blood donation; health screening; free legal advice; free nutritional advice for children and mothers; free financial advice; information on where and how to seek help for counselling, temporary shelter etc; information on support group for mental health; information on SI Ipoh’s Home Assistant project; and an art competition for children.
The public especially women are encouraged to explore the week-long event in order to stop violence against women, to stop sexual harassment and enjoy freedom from sexual crimes. They will learn about their rights to obtain help, to an education, to be financially independent, to have a voice, to make decisions and not be suppressed, to recognize their contribution to family and society and to be accepted with equal participation in the work place and in politics. They will also ensure equal access to education and training for women, assure women’s advancement in management, politics and decision making.
Activities will cater to all ages with performances on stage to include Belly dance, 1Malaysia dance by Kumpulan Pesara, Hip hop, jazz/mime, Indian classical dance, dance by the Orang Asli, performance by City Ballet and more. Your attendance and participation is needed. Do put the dates down in your diary.
SFCK
Category: Headlines
