TAN SRI DR. HAJJAH AISHAH GHANI: PENGGERAK KEMAJUAN WANITA UMNO

Abstract

This article highlights the contributions of Tan Sri Hajjah Aishah Abdul Ghani as a leader in Malaysian politics. Since her youth she has shown leadership qualities. She was born on 5th June 1924 and was the youngest amongst five siblings. She was very focused on getting a good education although she had to face many obstacles. Her involvement in politics began in the 1940s and was a leading female nationalist in the struggle for independence. She was the first AWAS (Angkatan Wanita Sedar) leader and was a member of PKMM (Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya) before joining UMNO. She went on to head Wanita UMNO and became the Minister of Welfare in 1973. As a Minister she was able to put in place many welfare programs and paid special attention to women's needs. She is also known for her efforts in the formulation of the Islamic Family Law which was passed in 1982, and the need for all states to follow a uniform Islamic Family Law for without the uniformity women faced many problems