Speaking at an international forum of women leaders here, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak added: “We do more damage to each other, especially when we see another woman as a competitor.”

Outlining the ingredients in moving forward, she said political will is urgently needed to put in place and implement policies. This includes monitoring mechanisms to enable a bigger role for women in leadership and management.

"Women must develop networks and cooperate, share insights, knowledge, resources and experiences in order to progress.

“Women must seize the opportunities that are open to them," she said in her keynote address before 300 women leaders from political, academic and business sectors worldwide at the Women in Leadership Forum here Monday.

Advising them to stop behaving in ways that adversely affect their future, she added: "We must stop this destructive behavior.

“We must support one another and not pull each other down. It's time for us to make ourselves be heard and seen and be much more than what we' are today.”

Rosmah said that in the work place, women should be empowered through a culture of innovation that would help them develop strategies and skills for them to be effective leaders.

"And the media must also contribute by eliminating gender stereotyping, particularly in advertisements and textbooks so as to provide positive reinforcement for greater leadership and managerial role for women," she stressed.

Sharing with her audience Malaysia's story in advancing the position of women, Rosmah said the landmark establishment of a full-fledged ministry in-charge of women in 2001 showed remarkable astuteness and far-sightedness on the part of the Malaysian government in gauging contemporary demands and giving weight to the voice of women.

Speaking in praise of Malaysian women, she said they are an important component of the country’s human capital, comprising 49.1% of the total population and with a labour force participation rate at 45.7%.

"In the legal profession, accountancy and dentistry, women have equaled, if not surpassed, the number of men entering those professions," she said.

In addition, she said, nearly 70% of students in Malaysian universities are girls pursuing various courses.

There has also been progressive increase of women's participation at top management positions and decision-making levels in the public and private sectors at between 13.5% and 26%  from 2004 to 2008. - Bernama<