Sarawakian women must be empowered to deal with new, tougher socio-economic challenges

THE empowerment of women in Sarawak, who make up about 50 per cent of the nearly three million population, must be taken to higher levels to enable them to deal with new and tougher socio-economic challenges, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said.

He said the womenfolk in the state can play a bigger role in shaping socio-economic transformations.

In his message to Sarawak women during the "Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp" held in Kuching organised by Huawei Malaysia and the Women Leadership Foundation, Abang Johari said the state government welcomes efforts from non-governmental and private entities to empower women with new skills, latest knowledge and leadership qualities.

"Empowerment of women is no longer just a matter of gender equality and fairness.

"Empowerment of women today is a matter of great social and economic importance.

"In Sarawak, women have the quality, ability and numbers in terms of population size to help shape the transformation of Sarawak in socio-economic fields.

"They must not just make up the numbers, but be empowered in policy-making and decision-making," he said in his speech delivered by Deputy Minister for Women, Community Welfare and Early Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus.

Women Leadership Foundation chairman Datuk Hafsah Hashim said the emerging challenges in the increasingly tough socio-economic landscapes require women to equip themselves with the latest information and knowledge.

"Not only must we know the latest issues in the state and country, we must also be sharp in decision-making to grasp the opportunities that can help better our livelihood and the standard of life of our families.

"Women organisations must cooperate and be united to give us a stronger voice," she said.

Huawei Malaysia Principal Consultant Miss Ada Liew said womenfolk in Sarawak and Malaysia have qualities in terms of being able to work together.

"They have strength in leadership qualities and teamwork.

"We are keen to help empower them with more knowledge to face the latest socio-economic challenges emerging around us," Liew said.

This is the third time that Huawei Malaysia and the Women Leadership Foundation organised the women empowerment bootcamp in Sarawak. - October 1, 2024