Happy 56th, Malaysia!
Malaysia(n) YOU Matter
As a new platform advocating and promoting the works of women in Malaysia, we can't help but notice that there are many things going on in Malaysia that is causing dissatisfaction and mistrust. Many online sites are doing a pretty good job at highlighting everything that is wrong with our country. Netizens too are by far and large often quick to criticise instead of offering solutions to rectify problems.
At the heart of it, we all want to feel something that we've forgotten or turned our backs on because for many, they didn’t realise how much sacrifices it has taken to get us here. We need to remember what used to be good. If we don't, we won't recognise it even if it hits us between the eyes.
Eve Writes | 16 September 2019
But HOW do we play our part to show love for Malaysia?
For 56 years now, the women of Malaysia have played important, integral roles as part of building our society. From holding positions in politics and corporate world to managing the domestic front and shaping the future generation, many women have proven that anything is possible when we set our minds to achieve it. Throughout Malaysia’s growth and expansion, she has bred many admirable women – all of whom carry a composition of grace, strength and courage.
Women in Malaysia have undergone profound change not only increased access to education and employment, but we have also progressed in socio-cultural environment through active participation in all aspects of development of the country. Within 56 years, women in Malaysia have worked together to pave the roads for younger generations to enjoy equal rights and opportunities in all spheres of life.
Now, women in Malaysia, as well as all over the world, are working together more closely than ever. Recognizing and understanding how our success lies not in competition, but in cooperation, more and more Malaysian women are raising the bar in any field from medicine to art to technology to aeronautical. Malaysian women understand whether from holding positions in politics and corporate world to managing domestic front and shaping future generation, we have proven that anything is possible once we set our minds to it and work together.
Those who join the security forces such as the military and police, for example, are willing to sacrifice their lives for the country to protect its sovereignty.
Photo: UNIFIL Malaysian Women Peacekeepers
We have sportswomen who made our country proud when they won medals in international competitions.
Photo: National diver, Pandalela Rinong, who is a two-time Olympic medalist and has won five medals at the World Championships.
A woman is the full circle.
Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.
We have those championing environmental causes, or help the authorities tackle various social issues such as vandalism, littering, drug abuse and crime, food wastage, homelessness and many more.
There are many incredible social entrepreneurs, NGOs, and nonprofit leaders on a mission to create much needed social change in . our country. They showed that Malaysia Matters by coming together in resisting any attempts to polarise and divide the people through insensitive remarks without due regard or respect for race and religion. There are those who speak out and stand up and to make sure that the voice of women be counted to check against the surge of extremism and religious bigotry.
To prevent Malaysians from further drifting apart and to heal a divided nation, we must be prepared to integrate from young with the help of not just teachers, but NGOs, and other independent organisations where we work together in nurturing our young generations. During play and in the classrooms, our children must be able to know, understand, and appreciate their fellow citizens of different colours, races, and religions. The earlier the better. They will soon need to build the nation together.
We need to let them grow up in harmony and respect where everyone is not merely tolerated but included.
To celebrate the #unityindiversity that truly is unique to our beloved nation on Malaysia Day, About Eve is having a special feature to celebrate 56 Malaysian women who are showing us what it truly means to be a Malaysian because they understand that in everything they do, it is for their country.
In the next coming weeks, we will be highlighting some of amazing Malaysian women who are making their marks both here in Malaysia as well as internationally. We will be celebrating their outstanding work to understand why they persevered in doing the things they do. You may recognise a few, for who they are but some you may not. One thing’s for sure, regardless of ‘who’ they are and what they are fighting for, these women is someone’s daughter, someone’s mother, perhaps a single mum juggling work and personal choices, the women who were once your class-mate, or someone you may remember from high school, the one who grew up as your next door neighbour, she might have been your best friend’s big sister.
Whoever they may be, WE SALUTE THEM for we see them as REAL women who are smart, pretty, and happy to be doing what they do because their work or the causes they fight for – matters to the community, not for just love and family, but to the nation they love so much.
The passion, determination, achievement, and contribution of these women could never be fully encapsulated in words for no lines can do justice of how much they have given to our nation, but because they are such inspiration for many women in Malaysia, About Eve wants to celebrate these amazing women in hopes it’ll spark something in us to be better, push harder, and support each other because as Malaysian women, we understand how much,
Malaysia, you matter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Malaysia!
To celebrate Malaysian women who are doing their best to make Malaysia a better place, we seek our readers recommendations. Write to us or drop your thoughts in the comments below of any persons or organisations whose work or causes matters to Malaysia. We love to hear from you so get in touch!
