Sabah govt serious about women empowerment, says Hajiji

Datuk Christina Liew (centre), who was representing the Chief Minister, presenting a RM5,000 mock cheque to Sabah Society for the Deaf president Ng Kah Ghor while Swepa president Sitti Damsal (right) looks on.

KOTA KINABALU: Women empowerment is high on the Sabah government’s agenda, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Chief Minister said this was reflected in the RM5.83mil allocation under the state Budget to implement women’s development programmes through the Sabah Women Affairs Department (Jhewa) this year.

“We strive to ensure that women get equal opportunities and benefits,” he said at the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa) 30th-anniversary celebrations and charity dinner at the Magellan Sutera here on Sunday night (June 11).

He added the state government welcomed like-minded organisations such as Swepa to complement its efforts to empower women.

Hajiji’s speech was delivered by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

In congratulating Swepa for reaching a milestone anniversary, the Chief Minister was glad to learn that at the core of the association’s mission was its dedication to empowering women through skills and knowledge development.

“You have consistently proven your commitment to nurturing and enhancing women’s talents through various training programmes, workshops, and mentoring initiatives.

“In the process, many women have been equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to break barriers and to excel in diverse fields,” he said.

Towards this end, Hajiji urged Swepa to continue its commendable journey, spread its wings wide to touch more lives and strive for even greater heights.