Lim holding the WOS run club T-shirt. She is flanked by Ira (on her left) and Ong. — KT GOH/The Star
IT IS barely a year since it was formed, yet the Women’s Only Society (WOS) is now a popular community group bringing women together through health and wellness.
Established in October last year, WOS has 4,755 members in Penang and the northern region, along with over 20,000 followers on social media.
It is a community group that does not rely on external funding, said founder Ira Shahira Mohamad Azizi.
“We manage community- driven activities. Everything has been organic – we haven’t spent a sen on advertising,” she said at a press conference in Komtar.
WOS runs three clubs – WOS Run Club for running, Shenergy for fitness training and Global Hikers for hiking.
Ira said it began as a small circle of women encouraging each other to get active, especially to tackle obesity and low health awareness.
“Our mission is to shift mindsets and help women prioritise themselves,” added Ira.
WOS is holding the Chasing Sunrise Run, a women-only event at Kampung Terus in Penanti, Penang on Sept 14.
The 5km run through Penang’s quiet rural mainland is expected to draw 500 participants and will include both fun and competitive categories.
“Although the run is only for women, mothers are welcome to bring their sons along. We want healthy living to start at home,” she said.
Penang social development committee chairman Lim Siew Khim welcomed the initiative, noting how women often put their families first and neglect their own well-being.
She said a report by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme found that women globally spend 2.8 more hours daily on unpaid care work than men, leading to “time poverty.”
“This run reminds women to claim their own time and care for their health,” she said.
Also present at the press conference was Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng.
Registration is now open at www.womensonlysociety.com.
For details, text WOS Run Club leaders at 011-3387 0984 (Lisa), 011-2667 5128 (Shuhada) or 012-446 6574 (Amalina). — By LO TERN CHERN
