KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia government said that it was looking at ways of boosting women's participation in development and sports in the country, citing the recent Olympic Games as giving a boost to women and sport in the country. Communication and Sports Assistant Minister Lee Kim Shin said Malaysian women “were more fortunate” than those in other countries in the opportunities they had in the country. “This is because the government has given wide opportunity and encourages the development of women nationwide," Kim Shin said at a Malaysia Women's Day seminar at Dynasty Hotel on Sunday. The seminar was organized by Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Association Sarawak (WEPS) and Miri Riam Women Club in collaboration with the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (MPWK). Swimming coaches in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere have told Bikyamasr.com that they are already seeing a rise in the number of young girls signing up for classes, and have reported many of them are saying the Olympics was the catalyst for doing so. “However, every success in life needs a strong foundation, particularly in terms of the family institution which is crucial to achievements," Kim Shin added. “Women in the modern day not only take care of the family institution but hold down professional and key positions, being as competitive as the opposite gender. The government has provided opportunities for women to stand on par with the men," he said. The seminar aimed to develop strategies for women's empowerment in both sports and the development sector. The participants noted that while Malaysia has seen massive success in recent years in boosting the place for women in society, they added that there is more work needed to continue this progress.
