The centennial International Women’s Day in 2011 was celebrated with a massive campaign in which 100 hours of performing arts was deployed to kick start conversations that matter about women’s issues. This campaign won the Campaign Of The Year Award at the Malaysia PR Awards early 2012. Following that, for the International Women's Day in 2012, WOMEN:girls brought together an exceptional group of successful women as mentors to inspire girls as well as spreading inspiration over ten days of outreach activities. The five identified mentors were Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Dr Tini Zainuddin, Melinda Looi, Asha Gill and Poesy Liang. TEDxKLwomen was introduced in the same year, curating and pulling together some of the countries best role models to share and exchange ideas. Ikal Mayang refers to long dark wavy hair of women and we are inspired by the proverb reference, 'rambut sama hitam, hati lain-lain' - loosely translated to every women having their own experience and point of view that needs to be heard and shared to be understood. So Ikal Mayang becomes an initiative to raise women's share of voice. It is a compilation of women stories told through the magic of film to start and inspire conversations and actions. In its first installation, 15 short stories were made by non-traditional women directors (Sofia Jane, Carmen Soo, Vanidah Imran, Melissa Saila, Susan Lancaster, Sharifah Amani, Elaine Daly, Fauziah Nawi, Dira Abu Zahar, Nanu Baharudin, Shamaine Othman, Aida Fitri, Junad M. Nor, Mislina Mustaffa and Ida Nerina) and these short films were calls to media owners and stakeholders (producers, screenwriters, investors etc.) to consider more women centric stories over the mass media and in films. In addition, the films are used as ice breakers for difficult/sensitive issues during outreach at vulnerable communities. 6 of these films were officially selected to premiere worldwide at the Busan International Film Festival 2013 as an ode to an important point of view for A Window On Asian Cinema. This year's second installation of Ikal Mayang sees 6 countries coming together for 1 cause - to insist the raise in women's share of voice. Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba represent Malaysia, Nia Dinata for Indonesia, Niramon Ross for Thailand, Shireen Seno for Philippines, A. Chan for Singapore and Siti Kamaluddin for Brunei. Themed Unspoken Truths/Terpendam, it's about the culture in which women'd rather keep the truths within rather than speaking up for fear of complicating matters, unnecessary consequences and even to keep peace ala the century old saying, 'biar pecah di perut jangan pecah di mulut'. Ten other community messages are also made by new filmmakers such as Ineza Roussille and Junaidah M. Nor while the rest are directorial debut of Eja, Melissa Indot, Nora Nabila, Soefira Jaafar, Deborah Henry, Leia AlJoffery, Elza Irdalynna and Sharyn Shufiyan. Yuna composed, penned and sang the theme song titled SAYANG and for the two days International Women's Day celebration at PavilionKL, Zee Avi flies in from New York to perform an unplugged at the Mamak. Other programs lined up under WOMEN:girls include , Young CEO Program, , Top 30 Most Influential and the Power Lunch Series. Follow on Twitter and be part of the movement now to create value.
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