Standing shoulder to shoulder on International Women's Day

PETALING JAYA: All around the world, women have stood up for their rights and even sparked movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp.

With such courage amidst adversity, imagine the headlines they could make with a level playing field that affords everyone equal opportunities.

This International Women’s Day (IWD), Star Media Group celebrates Malaysian women for the difference they make in society.

Though 107 years has passed since IWD was first observed, The Star editor-in-chief Datuk Leanne Goh reiterated the importance of marking the occasion.

“This is because we’ve yet to achieve full gender equality for women. There is still the gender pay gap,” said Goh at the launch ceremony at Menara Star on Wednesday morning.

Due to the gap, women effectively worked for free for 51 days in 2017.

Thus, Goh advocated for greater awareness about the need for more equal opportunities.

She also hoped that women will help other womenfolk to “give ourselves a leg up”.

“We have to join the workforce because we can contribute, we can do so much. And we must do everything we can to keep women in the workforce, because we shouldn’t need to stay home to manage the demands of the home,” she said.

The campaign is a call to action for women to make conscious efforts to maximise their potential, help each other, and to stand up and be counted.

“There’s so much that women have achieved. But at least once a year, we must acknowledge that more needs to be done for women and to recognise what women can do and are highly capable of doing,” said Goh.

In its second edition this year, WOW will culminate in this weekend’s Women’s Fiesta.

AirAsia and Mah Sing are the main partners of The Star’s WOW-Women Do Wonders campaign, with SASA as co-sponsor.

Guests at the launch were also treated to an uplifting performance by 3-A-Part’s Teresa Goh, who belted out a mash-up of Demi Lovato’s This is Me and Keala Settle’s identically-titled song from The Greatest Showman.

Joining in the fun was a female choir from The Star and videographer Ahmad Mohsin Dadameah, who performed Joe Jonas’ part in the first song.

Attendees got to browse through a small bazaar that hosted bra-maker Zarina Craft, handmade accessories courtesy of Kanzashi Handmade by Suzana, organic candles and handmade gifts by Lillie Giftkulture, Oleh Elona handmade natural products for eczema and sensitive skin management by Tengku Elona, cakes from Juwita Bakery and colourful woven plastic bags.

Check out these vendors and more at the The Star Women’s Fiesta from March 10-11 at The Starling Mall MBO, Damansara Uptown, happening from 10am-8pm this weekend.

In addition to over 150 diverse vendors, you can also look forward to fun fitness sessions and inspirational talks by entrepreneurs and celebrity influencers.

Expect goodies galore such as makeovers, manicures, lucky draws and glamour shots.

For more details, visit bit.ly/TheStarWOW.