KUCHING: Sarawak Women and Family Council chairperson Datin Fatimah Abdullah said Sarawak women are able to use their means and abilities to improve harmony and quality of life in the state.

“The late Datuk Patinggi Dr Laila Taib once said our greatest contribution in life is love and compassion,” she said at the official launch of the state-level Women’s Day celebration yesterday.

“So ladies of Sarawak, contribute in whatever capacity and through whatever means, with love and compassion.”

Sarawak has been celebrating Women’s Day since 1988, making this year’s the 21st time.

It also marks the 20th anniversary of the Sarawak Women’s Council.

“We can consider both Women’s Day and the council all grown up now, and going into the more challenging adult environment,” said Fatimah, who have been appointed Assistant Minister (Women’s Development) under the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation.

She said this year’s theme – Facing the New Reality – is appropriate given the current need.

“We can no longer think of ourselves and our own needs only. The new reality brings much change in the field of knowledge, economy, technology and socio-culture,” she said.

“This drives us into thinking about the needs of society, which we women have been charged to help look into.” With this in mind, the organising committee of the state-level celebrations have organised three main activities.

The first is an assembly involving women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies, statutory bodies and the private sector.

There is also a one-day seminar with focus on the challenges, readiness and preparation to face the new reality; and an exhibition on women’s involvement in entrepreneurial, educational and social activities.

The Sarawak Women’s Council has added ‘family’ as a new component in their main agenda, making it the Sarawak Women and Family Council (SWFC).

The 23 members come from various fields of expertise and represent various ethnic groups in Sarawak.

“In line with the New Reality, the council calls for a review of the Sarawak Women’s Development Action Plan 2003, which touches on the policy, development of capability, legislation and gender equality for the purpose of improving the quality of life in all aspects for women and family,” Fatimah said.

The council is also working on producing a book called ‘Sarawak Women: 45 Years of Independence’, scheduled to be completed in May next year.

“The role and status of women in Sarawak have undergone profound changes since Sarawak gained independence in 1963,” she said.

Fatimah added that with increased access to education, employment opportunities and changes in the socio-cultural environment, Sarawak women have progressed and improved their status in all aspects of human capital development.

“There is an urgent need for their progress, achievement and contribution in selected key areas such as education and training, economy, health, politics, decision-making and power sharing, women NGOs, sports, culture and media to be properly documented.”

She hopes that documenting these achievements will pave a way forward for a better future for all.

Upon the request of several NGOs, the council have also prepared a proposal for the State Cabinet to establish a halfway house or Rumah Perlindungan Khas (RPK) where victims of domestic violence and human trafficking can seek temporary shelter.

The council is also giving serious attention to the need and importance of capacity building in the younger generation.

“The council has arranged to work together with the Sarawak Children’s Early Education Development Council to increase education opportunities for rural areas that do not have kindergarten or pre-schools.”

The Power Sharing and Decision Making Subcommittee is also studying the involvement of women in leadership and decision-making positions in fields like politics, public service and the private sector.

Fatimah revealed that their early findings show that “in terms of empowerment, women at decision making level are still way off the target set by UN Economic and Social Council as part of the third Millennium Development Goal or achieving gender equality”.

Lastly, the council is in full support of government departments establishing a Child Day Care Centre at the Workplace. “According to a study done last year, 92 per cent of the respondents agree that it is necessary to have such a facility at the workplace,” she said.