Kuala Lumpur, April 29: The government has always been committed in giving priority to women leadership and empowerment programmes to counter the negative perception that Islam discourages women from becoming leaders.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said such a perception was inaccurate because Islam honoured women greatly and empowered them to be successful both in this world and the hereafter.
“Many quarters have tried to use religion to break a woman’s spirit, so do not let anyone break our spirit as women,” she told reporters after opening a seminar entitled Women Leadership from Islamic Perspective here today.
She said Islam did not put a limit on women, but instead, had encouraged those with ability and qualifications to take on appropriate roles.
“Sometimes, culture and negative attitude-based interpretations, whether among the women themselves or among the men, become the main obstacles in women development,” she said.
Shahrizat said the ministry, through its agency, NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW), would continue to go to the ground to boost the spirit of women to be strong in facing challenges.
“They need to have great level of confidence and the belief that none could stop them if they have the ability to succeed. If they are weak, it would affect the nation’s development,” she said.
A total of 300 government officers, members of non-governmental organisations, politicians and academicians took part in the one-day seminar organised by NIEW and the Protection and Enhancement of Muslim Women Secretariat.
–Agencies