KUALA LUMPUR, March 8- Women are recognised as the mainstay of family institutions, society and the country, said Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He stressed that women not only play a role as the 'first madrasah' in educating families, but also become symbols of strength and perseverance in developing the society and country.

"In conjunction with International Women's Day 2025, we inot only celebrate the contributions of women, but also strengthen our commitment to empower them through inclusive policies for the well-being of the country," he said in a post on Facebook.

According to Datuk Seri Fadillah, women's involvement in the political arena also shows positive developments with the increase in the number of female Members of Parliament, thus reflecting the country's increasingly inclusive leadership.

In the social and economic context, he also emphasised the importance of addressing the income gap between women and men, strengthening social protection, ensuring women's health rights are safeguarded and combating violence against women.

He said this year's celebration theme,'Wanita Beraspirasi Membina Legasi', carries a great meaning as a symbolic appreciation for all women regardless of background, ethnicity, language, culture, economy or politics.

"This theme symbolizes the spirit of women to achieve their dreams and realize lasting change," he added.

Along with that, Datuk Seri Fadillah informed that the MADANI government remains committed to empowering women through various initiatives that have been announced in the 2025 Budget.

"Only with the cooperation of all parties, can we ensure that the role of women continues to be valued and their rights are always protected," he said.