THE Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) will hold a mammoth gathering of Zumba dancers when the state celebrates this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) at the MBSP Stadium in Kepala Batas on March 11 (Saturday).
PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng said they are targetting 10,000 participants to get into the Malaysia Book of Records.
This year’s theme for the IWD, which is celebrated globally on March 8, is #EmbraceEquity.
Ong said PWDC, which is organising the IWD celebration for the state, plans to alternate the event by having this year’s event on the mainland and next year’s event on the island.
She said Penang is the only state in the country to hold an IWD celebration and she thanked Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Chong Eng, the state executive councillor in charge of Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs, for their support and encouragement.
She said not many women would do Zumba in the open more than a decade ago, but the trend has changed.
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“Those days they did Zumba in their room or house. Now, you see there is a change. They are willing to go out and step up and claim their space. They are brave. This is a small step but a very important step.
“The IWD is to commemorate women for their sacrifices and contributions to the family, community, state, country and even globally.
“There are a lot of women out there who are making an impact on the world.
“Most of the time when we talk about women, some people have the impression of women as the victims of violence or rape. We want to bring up the other side of women – the positive side through their impact on society,” Ong told Buletin Mutiara in an interview at her office in Komtar.
She encourages everyone to wear something purple in colour come March 8 when celebrating IWD.
Komtar, she said, would be lit up in purple colour too.
“Purple symbolises dignity and justice. Women should be given dignity and justice.
“It’s just to remind everybody it’s IWD. Individuals can show their appreciation to women around them, be it their mother, grandmother, aunty, sister, colleagues or friend. Take this opportunity to say thank you. That is what this IWD is all about,” she added.
For the Zumba session, Ong said all the state government-linked companies (GLCs) would be approached to send male and female participants. Never before she said had all state GLCs come together to participate in the same programme.
She said PWDC has also planned to hold a forum at Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas by inviting three personalities – from the entertainment industry, politics and human rights – to discuss how men and women can play their roles in embracing equity.
In addition, Ong said a carnival would be held on the same day (March 11) to showcase the products and works of about 200 to 300 women entrepreneurs in the state.
“As much as possible, priority will be given to women entrepreneurs to set up booths. People can come from morning till evening to buy their crafts and food, and have fun.”
Other than that, Ong said they have identified a non-government organisation to partner with and work on a Twitter Space for the youths to express their feelings about IWD, and may also hold a colouring contest for children.
PWDC, she said, will also send out 10,000 postcards to women in the state to wish them Happy Women’s Day.
“We want them to know that we think about them. We want to remind them they are also very important. Even at home, they are contributing immensely by taking care of the family,” Ong added.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud