GREATER economic opportunities in Sabah could curb the outflow of skilled women and even bring some back, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
She said many talented and qualified Sabahan women have left for better career prospects abroad, though there are no official statistics to confirm the trend.
"Sabah's expertise loss is a gain to other nations in terms of women's participation in the workforce," she said in her International Women’s Day message.
"In my overseas trips to promote Sabah as a preferred tourist destination, I have met successful Sabahan women who told me they had to migrate to other countries as they could not find suitable employment in Sabah or that the remuneration offered by prospective employers did not commensurate with their qualifications and experience.
"With political stability, we hope increased employment opportunities, improved working conditions, better emoluments, and a more conducive work environment in Sabah will make a difference and lure some of them back to serve the state in the near future," she said.
Liew recalled meeting a highly qualified Sabahan woman geologist at the Swepa International Women’s Conference last year and said the state’s thriving oil and gas industry could attract those working in the sector abroad.
Sabah DAP Wanita chief Bronica Sikula, in a separate statement, called for urgent action to tackle gender inequality, saying women in Sabah still face systemic barriers, including the lack of representation in leadership, wage disparity, and discrimination.
She said Sabah DAP Wanita is committed to fighting for stronger protections, including ensuring at least 30% representation of women in government, banning child marriage by setting the legal minimum age at 18, and pushing for financial support for female entrepreneurs. She also urged the state to implement stronger safeguards for single mothers and marginalised women, particularly in securing financial aid, job training, and better access to healthcare, housing, and education.
Wanita Harapan Sabah chief Jannie Lasimbang echoed these concerns, highlighting the economic struggles many women face due to low wages, limited welfare benefits, and exposure to domestic violence.
She urged the government to strengthen social protections by subsidizing the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) and the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SESS), ensuring women in the informal sector have access to healthcare and maternity benefits.
She also called for expanded financial aid and accessible loan programs for women-led businesses, along with better childcare and maternity benefits to enable more women to participate fully in the workforce.
Stronger enforcement of laws against gender-based violence is also crucial, she said, stressing the need for improved legal frameworks, better-funded shelters, and dedicated support networks for survivors.
"Women’s economic empowerment is not just a women’s issue—it is a fundamental driver of national development and social progress. When women thrive, families, communities, and the entire nation prosper," she said.
To mark International Women’s Day, Wanita Harapan Sabah will host a live podcast featuring women leaders from Pakatan Harapan component parties, followed by a walkabout in Kapayan and a buka puasa event in the evening to strengthen solidarity.
"This International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to breaking down barriers, ensuring economic opportunities, and strengthening protections for all women," Lasimbang said. – March 8, 2025
