1962

Formation of the NCWO Protem Committee Declaration of Women's Day on 25th August by the 1st Prime Minister of Malaysia,YAB Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. NCWO pro-tem committee organised the celebrations.

1963

NCWO Registered on 25th August and serves as the Main NGO Coordinating, consultative and advisory body.

1965

A seminar was held to study a Women's Bureau that led to the formation of NACIWID.

1968

Through NCWO advocacy to raise the status of women through legal provision: Parliament passed the "Married Women and Children (Enforcement Maintenance) Act 1968". The Pensions Amendment Act 1968 was gazetted giving women Permanency and Pensionable Status.

1969

Government implemented equal pay for work of equal value. NCWO President, Tan Sri Fatimah Hashim was appointed as the 1st Women Minister in the Malaysian Cabinet. Former Welfare Minister, Datuk Paduka Aishah Ghani was selected to sit on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

1975

A women's rally and march-past was held in conjunction with the UN International Women's year at Dataran Merdeka. The NCWO organized International Year Conferences calling for representations of women's organizations in the Asean Region. This led to the formation of AWP (ASEAN WOMEN'S PROGRAM) and ACWO (ASEAN CONFEDERATOIN OF WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS).

1976

The National Advisory Council for The Integration of Women in Development (NACIWID) was set up. Separate Taxation for Married Women was achieved. Through NCWO advocacy a Royal Commission was set up to study the Marriage and Divorce Act 1976 for Non-Muslims. The Act came into force in 1981.

1978

A series of workshops were held, the findings of which were discussed at a national conference in conjunction with UN Year of the Child in 1979. A memorandum and a Children's Charter were presented to the Prime Minister and to relevant ministries. As a follow-up of the above in 1990 The Children's Protection Act replaced The Children and Young Person's Act 1957. The act guaranteed greater protection of the child.

1985

NCWO succeeded in obtaining unrecorded leave for the NCWO affiliate members to attend all educational activities, conferences etc. both at national and international level. In conjunction with the UN World Conference in Nairobi, a NCWO workshop was held and a Memorandum containing 7 resolutions and recommendations was presented to the Government on major legislation that discriminated against women: Resolution 1: Rape Resolution 5: Labour Law Resolution 2: Domestic violence Resolution 6: Income Tax Resolution 3: Custody, Guardianship & Maintenance Laws Resolution 4: Inheritance and Property Rights women Resolution 7: Social Security

1986

A national conference on issues related to rape was held. Outcome of the conference: n A special investigation unit of women police officers was set up by the Royal Malaysian Police. n A rape investigation kit was produced by the Ministry of Health for use in Government Hospitals n A one stop crisis centre was set up in General Hospital, K.L. - 3 -

1987

A series of consultations were held and a Memorandum on the National Policy on Women was submitted to NACIWID and the Minister in charge of Women's Affairs.

1988

Through NCWO Advocacy all school busses have a uniform colour to facilitate recognition by other motorists.

1989

The Malaysian Cabinet accepted the National Policy on Women in December 1989. The Rape and Molestation Laws were amended. A memorandum was submitted expressing NCWO's concern on Privatization of Medical Services and calling for a National Health Policy.

1990

Urged the Ministry of Health to set up a Women's Hospital. NCWO Commissions were set up based on the sectors contained in The National Policy on Women.

1991

Each Commission drew up an action plan. These sectorial plans were incorporated into the NCWO NGO Plan of Action for the implementation of The National Policy on Women.

1992

NCWO participated in the activities of the Pre-Beijing Asia-Pacific NGO Working Group and coordinated national activities.

1994

An integrated One-stop-crisis-centre (OSCC) was established for rape survivors, battered women, etc. in the Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The Domestic Violence Act was passed.

1995

About 150 participated in the NGO forum and NCWO representatives were part of the Government Delegation to the Beijing Conference. Government acceded to the CEDAW Convention with some reservations. A memorandum was submitted to Government calling for the removal of blanket reservations placed on CEDAW except for two, others have been removed. August to December 1995 talks, forums, discussions were held to share the Beijing Experiences.

1996

Post-Beijing National Conference was held to identify areas from the PFA for incorporation into the National Policy on Women - Action Plan. The Domestic Violence Act came into effect. A National Orientation Programme on CEDAW was held for women leaders in collaboration with IWRAW Asia Pacific. A number of significant documents were translated into Bahasa Malaysia e.g. Jakarta Declaration, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Women's Affairs Division was upgraded to a Department.

1996-1997

Road Show to raise awareness of DVA was held in collaboration with HAWA at state and district level. Conducted para-counsellors training programme. Worked on the following children's issues: n Missing Children n Making Urban Areas Child Friendly

1997

A National Conference was held in collaboration with Sisters in Islam on the Syariah Family Laws and a comprehensive Memorandum was presented to the Prime Minister and relevant authorities. - 5 - The Cabinet appointed NCWO as Secretariat for a "Women and Savings" programme. Bank Negara launched a "Women and Savings" campaign. In 90% of Government Hospitals a One-stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) has been set up by the Ministry of Health. With financial assistance from the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development a Legal Literacy Campaign was carried out nation wide. Inter-Ministerial Committee was re-activated to monitor the National Plan of Action. With financial assistance from UNICEF, a campaign is being carried out by NCWO and MKKM to raise awareness of local councils on the need to make urban areas child friendly.

1998

The Distribution Act was amended. Participated in the preparation of the NGO Report for the ICPD + 5 Forum. NCWO representative attended the Conference. Have set up a Women's Watch to protect and further enhance the rights of women and to closely liaise and interact with relevant government agencies to assess the present position of women and to urge for major reforms and changes.

1999

MKKM and NCWO supported by UNICEF held a Workshop for representatives of Local Council on 30 July, 1999 re campaign to make urban areas child friendly. NCWO in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Shiftung organised the seminar to highlight issues and challenges to be faced in the new millennium. Women's perspectives on the issues were identified and strategies for action were also looked at. On 24 August 1999 NCWO organised a dinner in honour of our newly appointed DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Siti Aishah. NCWO as part of Hari Wanita activities prepared Gift-Bags for the WOMEN OF KOSOVO. This was possible through the kind and generous donations of toiletries, clothing and medical supplies by members of the corporate sector and NGOs. On the 25 August these Gift-Bags were handed over to Dr Jemilah Hj. Mahmud, the representative of the Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY) by our President YB Datin Paduka Hajah Zaleha Ismail. - 6 - A workshop was held in October 1999 to raise the awareness of women of the aim and objective of MAPEN 11 to give them an opportunity to present their views, ideas and put forward some recommendations on the vision and future challenges of national development.

2000

Under the Chairmanship of YB Dato Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, a very elaborate programme of activities was organised on the theme WANITA 2000 - NUR BERMULA DENGAN MU"

24 July, 2000: A DIALOGUE session was held with YAB Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Putrajaya.

17-18 August, 2000:WANITA 2000 CONFERENCE was officiated by YAB Dato Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi. It was organised by NACIWID with a view to obtain input for the 8th Malaysian Plan.

24 August, 2000:DINNER co-organised by HAWA and NCWO to which the Guest of Honour was DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Siti Aishah who graciously presentd the NCWO Tun Fatimah Gold Medal Award to Datuk Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first woman to be appointed as Governor of the National Bank.

28 August, 2000: NGO SOAPBOX was organCoordinated by

Health
Environment
Youth Issues
Violence Against Women
Consumer
Legal Issues
Religion & Culture