WOMENFOLK at Chowrasta Market in George Town received a pleasant surprise when Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited the market this morning.
He was there with his entourage to distribute flowers in conjunction with the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) today.
Upon arrival at the market, Chow proceeded to give away 2,000 stalks of carnations to the womenfolk at the market.
Accompanying him were Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also the Tanjong MP, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, volunteers from the Padang Kota Village Community Management Council (MPKK), staff from Padang Kota state constituency service centre and Tanjong parliamentary service centre.
Many of the women looked happy and smiled when they received the flowers from Chow and his team. Some of them took the opportunity to have their photos taken with Chow.
Chow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman, said the flowers distribution programme was held annually under his constituency for the past 25 years to celebrate IWD, which is celebrated globally on March 8.
“On behalf of the Penang government, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all women in the state a Happy International Women’s Day.
“As is customary, we are here to distribute 2,000 stalks of carnations as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for women’s contributions towards their families, communities, state and country,” said Chow.
Chow also urged all the women out there to enter or reenter the workforce to contribute economically to the state.
He said the state government is also committed to continuing the development and empowerment agenda of women through the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).
“This includes the adoption of the Gender Inclusive Policy so that the policies and programmes implemented take into account the needs of both women and men,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat