DPM: Mums who left to raise kids ready to return as CEOs

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said employers should look into hiring highly qualified women, who left their job to raise their children, as chief executive officers and other senior management positions.

She said such women, who usually suffered from empty nest syndrome when their children had grown up, were ready to reenter the workforce.

“We have a Career Comeback Programme under TalentCorp and we need more employers who are willing to employ these women and use their expertise.”

She said this in conjunction with a courtesy call on her by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell here on Monday.

On the meeting with Treadell, Dr Wan Azizah, who is women, family and community development minister, said the UK and Malaysia shared a close relationship.

Treadell said the UK was keen to work with Malaysia on a wide range of issues, including women, children, education and capacity building.

“One area you’re doing well is in the sciences and we would love to work with you on this,,

“We are ready to continue to work in areas we used to work in if that is the right thing to do or, if there are new things to do, we are ready to work with you on that too.”

On the 14th General Election, she said change was visible in the country under the new government.

“This is now a Malaysia for all Malaysians. The world has set up and noticed Malaysia. Malaysia is a beacon of hope for democracy. The democratic process is the winner in all this,” she said.