State to host 6-day ACWW conference to share experience

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WOMEN CONFERENCE: Fatimah (third left) holding up the ACWW programme booklet for the press, accompanied by Aishah (on her right) and other organising committee members.

KUCHING: Sarawak will play host to the upcoming 10th Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) Area Conference For South East Asia and the Far East middle of this month.

According to Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, the international conference will be an opportunity for Sarawakian women to share what they have achieved over the years.

“It is a very good opportunity to share with outsiders what women in the state have achieved, especially in the fields of education, health and economy since the nation was formed.

“The ministry is in full support of this particular conference as outsiders need to see the quality and improvement we have achieved in various fields.

“It is also a good platform to share experiences and learn how others do things in their respective areas and countries,” she told a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from the local ACWW organising committee — the Sarawak Federation of Women Institutes (SFWI) yesterday.

Fatimah also noted that it will be a good networking opportunity for women in the region.

“We need to form a good network of women so that we can help one another.

“The ministry will most likely participate in the exhibition to provide a support system for our local women,” she said.

Meanwhile, SWFI state chairperson Aishah Idris said SWFI is proud to be appointed host for this year’s conference.

“So far we have registered 150 participants, including 71 foreign delegates, for the event. We are expecting more participants from within the state too.

“Themed ‘Voice of Women Worldwide – Empowering Transformation’, the conference will see four working papers presented, covering topics relating to education, environment, childcare and women in economy.

“We will have experience sharing sessions, exhibition, handicraft demonstration as well as optional field trips for the delegates,” she said further.

The conference will start on Jan 13, with the chief minister expected to grace the official opening ceremony on Jan 14.

It will be held at Mega Hotel in Miri.

Other dignitaries include ACWW area president HRH Princess Azizah Iskandar, ACWW World president May Kidd and SWFI patron and Head-of-State’s wife Toh Puan Norkiah.

The six-day conference will be officially closed by Princess Azizah on Jan18.