Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has allocated almost RM9 million, including special funds, for the implementation of various women development projects and programmes in Sabah this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said RM4.2 million had been allocated to the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (Jhewa) and RM700,000 to the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS).
He said a special allocation of RM554,540 had also been provided for short-term projects such as the Creating Millionaire Among Young Women (CreaM@YWE) Project and RM3.4 million for the Sabah Women Leadership Academy project.
“Various initiatives and programmes under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan that have been implemented previously for women development and empowerment will continue in 2023.
“Among them are the Santuni Wanita Outreach programme and the JHEWAnita programme to empower single mothers and B40 women.
“The Santuni programme which aims to increase the production and sale of products by single mother entrepreneurs and B40 women is one of the new initiatives,” he said when officiating the State-level Women’s Day 2023 celebration, here, Saturday night.
On women’s involvement in decision-making in Sabah, Hajiji said there has been a progressive increase.
As of August 2023, statistics and data indicated that women in decision-making roles in the State Government for Deputy State Secretaries stood at 33.3per cent, equating to one woman out of three Deputy State Secretaries.
“For permanent secretary positions, 9.09 per cent are held by women out of a total of 11 permanent secretaries in the ministries.
“The percentage of deputy permanent secretaries is 40 per cent, which amounts to eight women out of 20. As for department heads, 30.23 per cent are women out of a total of 43.
“I want to emphasise that the State Government always adheres to the principle of empowering women. Women are a crucial pillar of the country’s development, not only in social, political and economic aspects but across all dimensions of national progress,” he said.
Hajiji said the Government had made efforts in enhancing protection and welfare for workers, particularly women, including amendments to the Employment Act of 1955 to extend maternity leave from 60 to 98 days and paternity leave from three to seven days.
Apart from that, he said the Government had unwavering support for efforts by various parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to empower women in the State.
Hajiji added that it was aligned with the State Government’s direction to foster a caring society and enhance excellent services.
“Women today, regardless of their backgrounds, possess expertise in various fields and play a significant role in the nation’s progress, family institution development, and promoting compassion within society.
“I acknowledge the commitment, patience, and resilience of women as wives, mothers, daughters and Malaysian citizens with great spirit, inspiring everyone.”
During the event, Hajiji also launched the Sabah Women’s Photobook that documented all women of calibre in various fields.
Hei also presented the prestigious “Tokoh Wanita” to Datuk Seri Dr Nuinda Alias who is the wife of State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr. Safar Untong, received by their daughter Nur Faiqah Safar, while the Excellent Women Association Award was given to Beaufort Women’s Chinese Association Chairperson Gracia Ng, Rural Women Leadership Award to Lim Shui Ching and the Promising Woman Entrepreneur Award to Voo Nyuk Oi.
