Special award for Most Supportive Man at Women’s Day ‘do’
Published on: Wednesday, September 25, 2019
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Advisory Women’s Council (MPWS) has decided to present an inaugural special award to a man who has helped women’s careers and development, including upholding their rights, at this year’s State-level Women’s Day celebration on Oct. 23.
“It is high time that men who support women be appreciated by giving this ‘Anugerah Khas’ (Gender Balance Award) to those who had given full support to women in several aspects including moral, facilities, finance and related matters,” said new Chairperson Datuk Noni J. Said (pic).
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“We decided to introduce this special award in line with the theme of the celebration of ‘Balance For Better’ and to show that men and women need to help and support each other to go forward and achieve excellence.
“But of course, only one man will be decided for this special award after scrutinising candidates submitted by anyone who fits three criteria, namely
1) Best personality supporting women and family in workplace;
2) Fostering gender equality in the workplace; and
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3) Practising a charter against violence and sexual harassment against women,” she said.
Noni disclosed this at a press conference after a luncheon talk “MPWS Meet the Media” here, Tuesday, where the new line-up of MPWS and Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (Jhewa) were made known as well as their functions and roles.
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Noni said the public can nominate suitable names which should include information on his background and achievements when nominating for the special award to Jhewa’s office at Wisma Wanita.
The other four awards are “Anugerah Tokoh Wanita”, “Anugerah Wanita Cemerlang”, Excellence Women Association Award and Excellence Women Entrepreneur Award.
All nominations must be sent to Jhewa before Oct 5.
“The criteria for Anugerah Tokoh Wanita and Excellence Woman Award is that she must be a Malaysian aged 35 onwards, originate from Sabah or has resided in Sabah for 15 years.
“The candidate must be involved in more than any one of the following fields of work and service like education, social work, women’s organisation, business, corporate sector, research, literature, art, sports, government, and professional, among others.,
“The candidate must has achieved advancement in her field of work in the midst of economic, social or professional challenges and possess qualities that make her a role model for women in the State,” Noni said.
According to her, the Excellence Women Association Award is to give recognition to Women Associations which have contributed excellently, especially in women development and society as a whole.
Those selected would be based on the following criterion, namely association’s organisational structure, number of members, frequency of the Committee Meeting and compliance to the date of Annual General Meeting in accordance to the association’s constitutions, financial status of the association, internal and external activities of the association, and contributions towards women socio-economic development.
The Excellence Women Entrepreneurs Award is to recognise their participation and contribution in economic development to show that women could be icons and an inspiration in the field of business.
“The criterion for Excellence Women Entrepreneurs Award is that the business must be initiated or started by a woman or women, must be fully or majority owned by a woman or women, the nominee or applicant must be the Chief Decision Maker or Managing Director or CEO and the nominee or applicant must be a Sabahan or hold a Permanent Resident for at least 15 years.
“The applicant’s business must be home grown, registered, located and operating in Sabah and the business has flourished or extended beyond Sabah would be an advantage.
“Also the business must in operation for at least three years with audited financial statements for the last three years or financial statements for the last three years submitted to Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and the applicant must have a good track record in business.”
To a question, Noni said all these five special and excellence awards provide cash prizes worth about RM60,000 and other side such as trophies and certificates on the awards.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal would be the Guest of Honour at the event at Magellan Sutera Harbour on Oct 23.
She said MPWS would be organising a roundtable discussion on sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis matter (s) in advancing gender inclusion so as to get data and statistic on number of women on certain aspects so that we have facts when we want to show concern that need to be addressed.
“There will also be a seminar on responsibilities of parents towards their children and on social issues, talks and visits to Taman Seri Puteri, conducting ‘Majlis Jalinan Mesra’ with NGOs especially women organisations, press conferences, interview by RTM TV and RTM Radio.
“We will also continue with the legal literacy programs so that women in Sabah continue to be exposed with their rights and know what to do,” she said.
MPWS would also organise a short story competition on untold stories or unsung heroes on achievement and struggles of women as well as how they face challenges in life and a new competition of short videos for two-minute each on challenges and success of women.
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