KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Women need to stand united to improve their lives and to strengthen women empowerment, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Calling for them to have the right attitude, she also told women to encourage men to respect their wives instead of putting their gender down. She also encouraged organisations and non-governmental organisations to work towards a united front to create an impact locally and globally.

'Know what you want and decide on it. Women have to be united and agree on one voice and have the right attitude on all issues,' she told reporters after opening the Fifth National Conference of the Women of Independence 2009 here yesterday.

In her opening speech earlier, Rosmah said she was happy that women worldwide, especially in the Middle East, demanded for more emancipation and that Malaysian women were now recognised in many sectors.

However, former Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim disagreed.

'It is atrocious. You can go through the list of public companies and there isn't 10% of women in decision-making positions. What happened to the other 20%?' said Rafiah, referring to the 30% policy of women in decision-making positions.

Rafiah added that the authorities need to be serious and follow up on goals they set if they are to meet the 30% policy.