KUCHING: Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah yesterday revealed that only 12.8 per cent of the Counclilors in the state were women.
According to her, the top three local authorities in terms of women Councillors are Dalat and Mukah District Council (28.6 percent), Sibu Municipal Council (27.6 percent) and Limbang District Council (22.6 percent).
No local authorityhas achieved the 30 per cent target of women in decision-making.
Fatimah disclosed this during the state-level International Women’s Day celebration 2017 at Yayasan Sarawak at Jalan Sultan Tengah here.
She added that this was unfortunate because women were greater users of public amenities like parks, public transportation, markets, child-care centres, hospitals and clinics as women were often the primary carers for the young and old.
“In accordance with that, the state government supports the efforts of organizations and individuals worldwide to create policies and an inclusive environment for achieving gender equality.
“Tireless efforts should also be taken to empower and help women to engage in social and economic activities and this requires a strong policy and a high commitment, to give guidance and direction within the development.
‘The interest and participation of women should not be neglected and their contributions should be integrated in the process of national development,” she explained.
The aim of the state-level International Women’s Day celebration was to give recognition and appreciation to the contributions of women and their participation in economic, social, political and leadership in Sarawak in particular and Malaysia in general.
Also present at the event was the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Amar Dato Hajah Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang who officiated the opening ceremony of the Women’s Day celebration.
