Adopt gender inclusion draft, amend laws to reduce child marriages, Kapayan rep urges Sabah govt

KOTA KINABALU: Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang has urged the Sabah government to approve the Gender Inclusion Draft to improve women’s welfare.

She said she has previously lobbied for this but has not received much success.

“I drafted the Gender Inclusive Policy and presented it to the government through the Sabah Women Affairs Department (JHEWA) and Sabah Women Advisory Council (MPWS).

“My initial effort was to push for a 30% quota, but it didn’t get the desired output.

“I think we still have to do more,” said Lasimbang.

She said at the same time, laws pertaining to underage marriages need to be given attention by all societies across the state, said the former Suhakam commissioner.

“My hope is that the law amendments can be approved this year so we can reduce child marriages among our communities.

“Good progress starts with a small awareness, which could provide a bigger impact in the future,” said Lasimbang in a statement in conjunction with International Women’s Day which is celebrated on Wednesday (March 8).

In relation to that, she said this year’s theme for the global celebration of women called #EmbraceEquity was apt so that people can bring changes to improve the status of women.

She said that equality where women are given the same resources and opportunities is no longer sufficient.

“We need to embrace the meaning of equity as women have different placings (in the world) and need to be allocated with the right chances and resources to achieve the desired results.

“Just like how people around the world showed support and solidarity in the 2022’s theme of #BreakTheBias, let us rally and show the same support this year,” added Lasimbang.