As part of AWAM’s efforts to build the capacity of young Malaysian women to engage with the media, we started the Writers for Women’s Rights Programme (WWRP) in 2005. This project is funded by the generous support of the European Union.

Targeting those between the ages of 18 and 32, the WWRP offers promising young women writers a unique opportunity to develop:

a)Their understanding of gender and women's issues

b)Their writing and analytical skills

(c)Their understanding of media issues and their media relations skills and abilities.

All WWRP members attend a live-in workshop where they receive training in these areas. Those selected will have their workshop food, accommodation and registration costs covered by AWAM. Following this, participants are offered practical training in the form of writing letters to the editor, press statements and media articles for AWAM. Experienced writers and trainers are available to guide them and help get their work published in the media. Several of our participants have written letters, articles and essays for print and online publishing.

Thus far, three WWRP workshops have taken place: March 2005, June 2005 and February 2006. A fourth workshop will be held in November 2006. Those interested and who fill our criteria of participation are invited to submit applications to AWAM.

Presently, under AWAM’s supervision, several WWRP ‘alumni’ are involved in regular discussion sessions on topical issues as part of on-going efforts to broaden their understanding and sharpen critical thinking skills. An example of this is a participant’s writing on a talk given by Zainah Anwar of Sisters in Islam on Gender & Islam at AWAM. Further, as part of a longer term plan, WWRP ‘alumni’ are invited to send in entries to a book project titled “Young Women Speak Out” which AWAM intends to publish in 2007.