The Governor of Sarawak, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (centre), flanked by his wife YABhg Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Raghad Kurdi Taib (third left) and Chief Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (third right), at the launch of the State-level Women’s Day 2019 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching on Saturday, 28 September 2019.
In his speech at the event, the Chief Minister reiterated the Sarawak State Government’s commitment to empower women economically and socially, which is evident through various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Welfare & Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development.
He therefore announced the State Government’s approval to increase the grant for the training of women entrepreneurs to RM2 million from RM1 million.
He also agreed to allocate RM1 million for the establishment of nurseries or childcare centres at State agencies in 2020, which could benefit working parents.
This year’s theme for the Women’s Day celebration was ‘Sarawak Women in Safety and Security… In Good Hands’ that focused on women’s contribution in personal safety and security, national security, environmental security, health and occupational safety, and information and cybersecurity.
As part of the celebration, five awards were presented to recognise women and organisations that had been instrumental in the development of Sarawak.
Recipients for these awards were Sarawak Society for Parents of Children with Special Needs (PIBAKAT) for Excellent Organisation Award; Mdm Wong Siong Ting for Special Chief Minister Award “In Good Hands”; YBhg Datin Amar Hajah Fatimah Jamil for Chief Minister Award (Women Social Activist); Mdm Rahmah Ranong Abdullah @ Ranong Peru for Chief Minister Award (Women Entrepreneur); and Penghulu Paliani Samba Bilaidom @ Lucy Lingam for Chief Minister Award (Women Leadership).
Earlier, the Chief Minister launched ePreneurs, a mobile application by Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS) under its E-Wanita website.
A digital initiative by Sarawak Multimedia Authority and powered and designed by SOCOE Sdn Bhd, ePreneurs aims to become a hub for registered JWKS entrepreneurs to sell their products and services online.
