‘Women’s gentle nature powerful’

This power should be used, together with the power of persuasion, to help the people embrace change, says Taib

KUCHING: Women can help give development a push by using their gentle and persuasive powers to get the people to embrace the economic and social changes evolving in the state.

Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who made the call yesterday, said the state’s economy had diversified from being agriculture and natural resource-based to more industrialised-driven ones, and women had the power to give this transformation more momentum.

“The transformation in our society will depend on the initiatives and consciousness of our mothers, our elder sisters and our ladies who understand the world that we are living in,” he said at the launching of the state-level Women’s Day 2013 celebration here yesterday.

The chief minister added that the salaries for today’s jobs no longer depend solely on certificates, but are dictated by the law of supply and demand.

He said women could help development to surge by explaining in gentle ways and through their power of persuasion the changes brought about by the thriving economy.

On the status of women in the state, he said they had earned equal status since the state attained independence 50 years ago, and it was achieved without having to follow the aggressive nature of western women’s liberation movements.

Although “traditional separation” between the sexes existed between men and women in the state, it did not relegate the fairer sex to second class in the society, he said.

Taib added that although women were shy in nature, many had become successful in men-dominated fields because they know how to conduct themselves well.

“Women are as good as men in our society. I know a few ladies back from the 50s onwards who carved their place in the progress of women in our society … enough to enable us to be where we are today.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who was also present, said women must have the courage and strength to facing challenges together with men.

Opportunities brought about by globalisation and information and communication technology (ICT) must be fully tapped, she added.

To speed up the process of equipping and strengthening womenfolk, she said her ministry planned to set up a Women Skills Training Center and Resource and Information Center at Wisma Wanita. This proposed project might materialise by next year.

This year’s celebration is themed ‘Sarawak Women-Treading the Path of Post Independence Years’.

The celebration includes giving recognition to five individuals and a non-government organisation (NGO).

The top award, Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib, was conferred on Dato Rugayah Abdul Majid, who held the post of an administration secretary for 18 years, from 1965, in Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute.

The Chief Minister’s Women’ Social Movement Award went to Irene Yong, Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneur Award went to Hajijah Uteh, Chief Minister’s Women Leadership Award went to Elizabeth Deng, Women’s Special Achievement Award went to Fatimah Wagimin, and the Excellent Women Body Award went to Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute.

At the event, a book entitled ‘Sarawak Women in Business – Their Stories’ was also launched. The book chronicles the experiences of 47 entrepreneurs in facing challenges, their rise and fall, happiness and sadness, never-say-die attitude and perseverance.

Also present at the event were organising chairperson Datu Adi Badiozaman Tuah, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu Numpang and his wife Datuk Seri Empiang, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Dato Sri Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar and his wife Datin Amar Fatimah Mohd Iskandar.