After World War Two and the beginning of British colonialization, the people of Malaya began their crusade against Malayan Union, which was formed by the British in 1945. It led to the formation of Women Secretariat on August 25, 1949 at the uprising of the Malay women. Two years later, the Women and Youth (Pemuda) wings were founded, with Ibu Zain being appointed to lead the first ‘Pergerakan Kaum Ibu UMNO’ in 1951.

The movement reached out widely throughout the nation until it was known as Pergerakan Wanita UMNO Malaysia today. The thrust of Wanita UMNO is to instil awareness and high fighting spirit among the Malay women and in assisting UMNO to achieve the Independence. Since then, Wanita UMNO has been through leaps and bounds and many challenges, all of which were attended to amicably.

The women of the yesteryears had to endure a lot of pain while carrying out their duties nationwide. Their struggle did not receive any aids whatsoever and was done voluntarily on the conscience of serving their nationalists and the nation.

In the present time, Wanita UMNO has emerged as a big UMNO component with more than a million members. At branch and divisional level, some saw more female members than the males, which didn’t reflect them in a small office bearer representation. However, they are fully aware of the challenges to the party and expedite the duty to bring about the Malays to the fore.

Wanita UMNO wing emphasises five major elements in their struggle, namely religion, politics, economy, social and community. To achieve that, its methods and activities are always modified to fit into times and conditions.

Wanita UMNO is always in search for new leaders at all levels. Such a process is done through many activities such as seminars and special training, apart from identifying those who are capable to sit as members of Municipal Council, District Office and any other bodies and organisations where women’s view plays a pivotal role.

Continuous efforts are underway to increase the number of female candidates at the State Assembly and Parliamentary elections and the Senate or Dewan Negara.

WANITA UMNO CHIEFS

1. Putih Mariah Ibrahim Rashid
2. Zainun Sulaiman (Ibu Zain)
3. Khadijah Sidek
4. Tan Sri Fatimah Hashim
5. Tan Sri Aishah Ghani
6. Dr. Siti Zaharah Sulaiman
7. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz
8. Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil