Members of the organising committee and participants during a photo call.
KUCHING: The Women’s wing of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) wants women in Sarawak to be aware of laws that uphold their rights.
Its chief Datuk Doris Sophia Brodie said they must no longer be complacent and take things for granted.
“We have good laws in this country that uphold women’s rights but if these laws are not adhered to and women themselves are not aware of such laws then that is not good,” she said.
“We women must not be afraid to speak up and strive for our women’s rights; we do so because we seek to be treated as equal partners. It is wrong for anyone to perceive women as threats and only the weaker minds will do so and this is no good for this nation,” she added.
Doris called for rural women to be united in their stand to fight for their rights as women.
“Women must all stand up to fight for our rights but before you can do so, it is important for us to know what our rights are. If we all love this country then we must accept each other and respect each other’s rights; women must not or be made to play second fiddle,” Doris was quoted as saying in a press statement issued by PRS Women assistant publicity chief Jenny Crystal yesterday.
Doris, who is a political secretary to the chief minister, made the remarks when officiating at the opening ceremony of a seminar called ‘Jelajah Kawasan, Sentuhan Kejayaan’ organised by the wing’s education bureau and held at Sungai Asap in Belaga on Saturday.
Being talking about women’s rights, she reminded women of their roles in nation building during the seminar.
“Here from, women regardless of race, religion and background must come together as one voice besides striving harder and smarter in various fields like education, economics, politics and agriculture among others, so that we become a force to be reckoned with. We need to reconstruct our approach and mind-set and be consistent; in a matter of time, we will get there,” she said.
“This country will not be wholesome and Vision 2020 may just remain a vision if gender inclusiveness is not properly practised,” she added.
Meanwhile Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chuk Pai Ugon stressed that women’s contribution cannot be denied.
“They have contributed and played important roles in driving this nation forward. Women have been proven to be good leaders and therefore given the opportunity, women can do well if not better. We must move forward as partners because men and women both have important roles to play in building this nation,” Chuk Pai said.
Quoting a famous saying: ‘The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world’, Kennedy said it reflects that women play a great role in all spheres of life.
“This cannot be denied, women despite playing multiple roles as mother and wife can still be effective leaders or career women.”
He also pointed out that he won the Murum seat in the last state election because all parties supported him.
“I am so very appreciative for all your support in the last state election (on May 7, 2016). I too acknowledge that women had worked equally hard to assist in my victory,” he added.
Chuk Pai sought the same support for Datuk Wilson Ugak, who is expected to defend his parliamentary seat of Hulu Rejang in the coming 14th general election.
Others who spoke at the function were councillor Misiah Abdullah and the organising chairperson and head of PRS Women Wing education bureau Angeline Umi, who is also a political secretary to the chief minister.
Two topics entitled ‘Parenting Challenges In The Cyber Era’ by John Marten from ICATs, Sarawak and ‘Domestic Violence’ by Harry Silas, head of Enforcement Division, Social Welfare Dept, Kapit were discussed.
About 300 participants, mostly women, attended the function.