KUCHING: Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) has identified eight issues that could help realise the Empowerment of Rural Girls project.
According to its coordinator Ann Teo, the project held in Baram had run for 18 months.
“Among the things that should be given attention are report wrong doing against rural girls, maintain school programme, improve transportation and infrastructure, develop society and create awareness on AIDS and HIV.
“Besides, it is important to inject information to handle the social issue and build social corporate responsibility among business operators in Baram,” Ann told reporters during the handover of a book to State Women Bureau director Norjanaj Razali on Wednesday.
The book contains project information and project from SWWS to the state government.
According to Ann, SWWS will forward a few suggestions on the eight issues identified such as set up more One Stop Centre in rural clinics.
“The one stop centre is now only available in hospital and with that abused women in rural areas could be saved. It is also to facilitate police in investigating and recording statements,” he said.
Ann said the police should be equipped with vehicles (4WD) suited for such travel so they do not have to resort to use logging companies’ transport. But all the implementation need to be funded and programmes in rural area need a realistic budget.
SWWS therefore appeals for funds to empower the scheme to promote heath in the villages and it will be organised by Health Education.
“I hope this issue could be given consideration as the prime minister had suggested a bit of change in the Health Ministry of Sarawak due to its geography,” she said.