KUCHING: Sarawak is still undergoing a transitional phase in its pursuit of gender equality and must fulfil three key prerequisites for full implementation, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He stressed that women must be acknowledged for their merit and leadership capabilities rather than being included solely to fulfil quotas.
“You are there because you have the merit. And this merit, therefore, becomes the key for leadership growth.
“Number two, the issue of acceptance whereby society must be able to accept the role irrespective of whether you are a man or a woman based on the issue of merit. You are there because you are qualified to be there.
“The third prerequisite, in my view, is the intellectual level of society. With a more informed society, merit naturally becomes the basis for leadership,” he said.
He said this when addressing the 4th Meeting of the Coordination Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) at Damai Lagoon Resort here today (April 22).
Abang Johari said once these three conditions are met, society will be more ready to accept women as leaders.
“In the last ten years, we have seen how women play a leadership role in Europe. Politically, they are there.
“The trend is towards the role of women based on their merit. And you never know one day, the world depends on women’s intellect,” he said.
He added the Sarawak government has made progressive strides by forming women’s councils and committees aimed at championing gender-sensitive policies.
“The governments of Malaysia and Sarawak both acknowledge that women must be granted equal opportunities in education, social spheres, and economic activities.
“With strong support from the government, women’s empowerment has been embedded into our state’s agenda.
“These efforts complement Malaysia’s broader commitment to gender equality, as outlined in the national development strategies and international frameworks,” he said.
He also highlighted the recent publication by the Women and Family Department under the Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, titled “Sarawak Women in Innovation and Technology.
“This publication celebrates the achievements of 26 remarkable Sarawakian women in the fields of innovation and technology, serving as an inspiration to future generations.
“These stories are a testament to the impact of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy
(PCDS) 2030, which drives Sarawak’s sustainable growth and positions us for a more inclusive and successful future.
“And I can assure you that they will play a very significant and static role in our economic policies to be developed by the year 2030,” he added.
