Successful women urged to help others overcome challenges

KOTA KINABALU: Inculcate the “women, helping women” mentality so women can contribute to the state economic globalization, urged Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Jainab pointed out that women's involvement in entrepreneurship had been major but remained largely at the micro level in Sabah.

She said this was due to various challenges such as marketing and finance faced by women in the state.

However, Jainab believes women can not only overcome these challenges with the state and central government's support but also the help of other women.

“I hope successful women will come forward to help other women, and make it known that they can help other women,” she emphasized at the state-level Women's Day press conference at the Sabah Broadcasting Complex Building here, yesterday.

The Sabah entrepreneurcentric Women's Day celebration, which will be launched by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman on September 23 at the Magellan Sutera here, will focus on empowering the fairer gender so they can transition from the local to global scene.

“Women must generate income to help their families, and most importantly, women must be enabled to change our economic environment to a globalized one,” emphasized the minister.

This year's celebration is themed: ‘Women: Changing Global Economy'.

“The apt Women's Day celebration theme shows in the efforts to develop the state; economic strength is very important as it can enable women to change the global economic environment,” said Jainab.

“The theme is also a clear message to ensure women reach their optimum economic potential,” she added.

The celebration is also aimed at encouraging and raising community awareness on women's involvement in the various fields encompassing economy, politics and social in urban or rural Sabah.

Various programs that started on August 29, will go on until end of October in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Keningau, Sepanggar, Ranau, Kota Marudu as well as Beaufort, and involve female students and corporate groups.

The community, regardless of gender and age, is also invited to join the activities that have been lined up by the ministry in collaboration with Sabah Council of Social Services and Women and Family Development Council.

This year, the ministry will also introduce the Icon Wanita Sabah award and give away the Wanita Cemerlang, Persatuan Wanita Cemerlang, Usahawan Wanita, Usahawan Wanita Luar Bandar and Usahawan Wanita Harapan awards.