KUCHING: Bidayuh women have been advised to venture into online businesses.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said one of the focuses of the Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS) was to encourage women to undertake online businesses.
“Technology is viewed as a potent force in transforming the socio-economic status of women. Skills, adaptability and knowledge in technology are the main drivers for women to undertake new business ventures.
“Women must be proactive in the digital era. The use of technology gives advantages to more women, especially housewives and single mothers, to access new markets,” she said.
Fatimah was officiating at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Women Branch’s appreciation dinner held at the DBNA multi-purpose hall here last Saturday night.
She encouraged the DBNA Women Branch to work together with her ministry to expose women to entrepreneurship in the digital era.
Fatimah also urged Bidayuh women to preserve the Bidayuh identity in terms of dances, crafts, food and traditions.
“The DBNA Women Branch is taking the right step by working closely with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) to get a trademark for ‘pangiah’, the Bidayuh traditional layered bead necklace.
“The Intellectual Property will not only prevent our Sarawak traditional handicrafts from being copied by other major brands, but the exclusive right also provides a competitive advantage and can enhance the economy of our indigenous women entrepreneurs,” she added.
