Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), through the Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership (CWAL) at UniKL Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI), extended its expertise beyond the campus by equipping 30 women with practical aromatherapy product-making skills as part of a community empowerment initiative in Penang.
The hands-on session was held on 1 August 2026 during the Program Sumbang Bakti Psikososial Skuad Waja: Sahabat Emosi Komuniti Wanita at Laman Wanita (LAWA), Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara.
Organised by Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita Pulau Pinang, the programme brought together women from the local community for activities centred on emotional wellbeing, women’s rights, personal development and empowerment.
As part of the Wanita MEKAR activity, CWAL UniKL MSI conducted a practical workshop on the preparation of aromatherapy roll-on oil, introducing participants to the basic ingredients, preparation methods and simple techniques involved in producing the product.
Participants were also allowed to prepare their own aromatherapy roll-on oils, turning the session into an interactive learning experience that combined knowledge sharing with practical application.
Beyond developing a new skill, the activity encouraged participants to explore creativity and build confidence in producing simple value-added products.
The knowledge gained may also serve as an introduction to small-scale entrepreneurship, particularly for women interested in turning home-based skills into potential income-generating activities.
The programme further addressed women’s personal and emotional development through the Kompas Kehidupan Wanita session presented by Dr Aqilah Yusoff, Ikon Wanita Muda Pulau Pinang.
A Bicara Hak Wanita session was also delivered by Tuan Abdul Alim Abdul Aziz, a lawyer from Tetuan Shazril Khairy Mustafa & Associates, providing participants with greater awareness of women’s rights.
Participants were additionally introduced to psychosocial support available through Skuad Waja, including mental health screening, self-conflict management, emotional support networks and counselling services.
The initiative contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through its emphasis on psychosocial and emotional wellbeing, and SDG 4: Quality Education through community-based practical learning and skills development.
It also advances SDG 5: Gender Equality by creating opportunities specifically focused on women’s empowerment and personal development, while supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through exposure to skills with potential for small-scale entrepreneurship.
