Retaining women in workforce a highlight of 11th Women's Summit

Women leaders from corporate Malaysia will gather here tomorrow at the 11th Women's Summit to deliberate on issues regarding the role of women in the workforce and the need to retain them. The summit, to be held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, will provide the women leaders and participants the opportunity to share their experiences, voice their concerns regarding the workplace as well as put forward opinions on how their rights could be better enshrined in legislative, economic and cultural reform. It also aims to empower women to take a stand for themselves, their hopes and dreams, their loved ones and their families. "The summit aims to come up with proposals on strategy which could encourage employers to implement policies that can encourage and bring women with family to return to and be retained in the workforce," said an official of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. The speakers include leadership guru Sally Helgesen and master trainer for the American Society of Training and Development Karen Leong. Others scheduled to deliver their experiences at the one-day summit are ntv7 and 8TV general manager Airin Zainul, Asia World Markets and CEO president Prashant Kumar and restaurateur Isadora Chai. The summit, carrying the theme "Forging Your Own Path", is scheduled to be opened by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. It is expected to be attended by 1,500 participants.