KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) has a huge role to play not only in the implementation of policies related to women’s development but also in assisting the government in identifying and addressing issues facing the group.
In this regard, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman urged MPWS to continue empowering itself and strengthen its role as a channel for the government to reach out to women across the State.
“We have always thought of MPWS as the most important body for assisting the government, particularly in assisting women and to ensure those in need are given attention.
“As such I hope we could work closer together and further improve our effort in empowering women, including in enhancing their participation in the government,” he said during the MPWS oath taking ceremony at Wisma Innoprise yesterday.
Musa said it was important that women’s organization, such as the MPWS, move and work together with the government to ensure that development programmes would benefit everyone.
He said the state government was always willing to listen to any views and suggestions from the council which has all this while provided inputs, especially through Community Development and Consumer Affairs Development Minister Datuk Azizah Dun.
He added the government’s commitment towards women’s development was evident in the various programmes that had been implemented, such as those aimed at assisting single mothers.
“The state government, in general, has always been proud of the achievements of the women in Sabah who are considered a significant contributor to the development in the State,” he said.
Eleven of the 14 council members were present at the ceremony to take their oath of service led by their new chairperson Datuk Mariati Robert. The remaining three were unable to attend.