THE Penang government, through the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), is actively involved in its women-centric agenda to enable women break all the gender stereotypes boldly.
PWDC has successfully organised its latest initiative, the ‘Penang Women Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme 2.0’, in which a total of 56 women participants completed the five-month long programme.
The programme was supported by the Pertubuhan Wanita Tamarai Pulau Pinang, WomenBizSENSE, Penang Women Chamber of Commerce, JCI Pearl, National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM Penang) and Yayasan Kemajuan Sosial Malaysia.
On March 19, a certificate presentation ceremony was held at the Penang Sentral College to recognise the hard work put forth by all the mentees as well as the mentors.
State executive councillor for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs and Social Development Chong Eng, who congratulated the mentees, said it was important for women to be financially independent.
“The terms ‘cash is king’ and ‘money talks’, are indeed true as our voices will only be heard when we have financial independence or the authority to make changes.
“Thus, it is of utmost priority for us to close the gender economic gap. Studies also have shown that domestic violence happens due to inequality in power.
“That is why it is important to empower women to prevent the incidences of domestic violence and advocate gender equality,” Chong Eng said during her speech at the event.
Apart from that, Chong Eng also urged women to eradicate gender stereotype which is in line with this year’s Women’s International Day theme – ‘Break the Bias’.
“You need to come against all kinds of stereotypes and free yourselves from any discrimination,” she added.
Meanwhile, PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng said the mentoring programme has helped the participants to enhance their business profits.
“We would like to thank all the mentors for their insightful sharing throughout the programme.
“I also would like to thank YB Chong Eng, who has been instrumental in bringing progressive changes for the womenfolk in Penang, especially in terms of policies,” Ong said.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter
