Image credit: The Star
KOTA KINABALU: The seven committees created under the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) were asked to assist the Government in empowering the development of women in the State, especially in rural areas.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this includes intensifying activities that can improve the socio-economic status of women throughout the state.
“MPWS through its seven committees needs to intensify efforts to create programmes that benefit women and that can increase their economic resources.
“I want MPWS to focus on efforts to increase their sources of income, especially women who are involved as entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Industries (SME). A lot of assistance is provided by the State and Federal Governments to help entrepreneurs in the country.
“In this regard, the MPWS through the relevant committees can help spread all forms of assistance to the people as a whole,” he said at the Swearing-in Ceremony of the MPWS Chairperson and Committee for 2023-2024 at the Chief Minister’s Office in Menara Kinabalu, here, Monday.
Seven sub-committees were created under the MPWS, namely Economy, Education, Social, Health, Law, Gender, Women and Media, aimed at mobilising efforts and advancing the direction in prospering the people, especially women.
Commenting further, the Chief Minister also wants MPWS to act as a think-tank and programme and policy implementer to unify efforts towards advancing women in the state.
He said this is to ensure that women in the state are not left behind in the development and progress brought by the Government.
“We want women to be more competitive and knowledgeable so that they continue to progress simultaneously with the changes and development of the country. Towards that direction, MPWS also bears the responsibility,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Government allocated RM5.83 million to the Sabah Women Affairs Department this year, to fund various women’s leadership and development programmes.
“Microloan facilities for women will continue with an allocation of RM10 million channelled to Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM). Women’s development is one of the important agendas that the Government focuses on in the context of state development,” he said.
He also hoped that the 12 committee members appointed to lead the MPWS for the 2023-2024 session would contribute ideas, time and energy to best implement the women’s development agenda in Sabah.
The 12 MPWS Main Committee Members for the 2023-2024 Session are its Chairperson, Datuk Dr Tarsiah TZ Taman who is also Chairperson of its Economic Committee; Deputy Chairperson and the Gender Committee Chairperson Baiyah Ag Mahmon; Legal Committee Chairperson Datuk Noraini Idris; Education Committee Chairperson, Datin Malianah Ugau; Social Committee Chairperson Associate Prof Dr Muhammad Idris Bullare; Women and Media Committee Chairperson Eliza Goh; Economic Committee Deputy Chairperson, Datuk Redonah Bahanda; Health Committee Chairperson Dr Jiloris Frederick Dony; Health Committee Deputy Chairperson Dr Nirmal Kaur; Education Committee Deputy Chairperson Associate Prof Dr Imelda Albert Gisip; Gender Committee Deputy Chairperson Fauziaton Ag Samd and Law Committee Deputy Chairperson Rosemary Ahping.
Source: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/209275/help-empower-women-mpws-panels-told/