KUCHING: Girls should be empowered from a young age with the skills needed to take on leadership roles in the future, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
“I’m no longer just talking about women right now. It’s time for us to also empower girls,” she said when closing the Perantis leadership course on Friday (Sept 25).
“Empowering girls is not just about teaching them how to lead. I want to go beyond that and focus on how we can empower them economically.”
Nancy said empowerment efforts should begin while girls are still in school, with practical skills and knowledge that could help them develop products and eventually generate income.
She said seeing young girls grow into productive and economically independent women was among the personal returns on investment she hoped to achieve through her ministry.
“As the minister in charge of women, family and community development, my ROI is to see more women leaders in Malaysia.
“That they are able to carry themselves and carry out activities that can bring income to their families,” she said.
