KOTA KINABALU: The state government yesterday allocated RM5 million as special fund for the development of women under the Sabah Women Affairs Department.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman said the allocation would be distributed in phases to the 90 women non-governmental organisations registered under the department.
He said the allocation would be divided into three components or recipients involving the Sabah Women Advisory Council and Women and Family Development Council in 25 parliamentary divisions as well as single mothers and enterprising single mothers registered under the department.
“This in in line with the government’s aspiration which focuses on improving women’s economy as one of its strategies to raise the economic status of the state,” he said.
Musa who was represented by Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, also said the government supported the department’s plans in allocating the allocation for the purpose of entrepreneurship, for awareness, leadership and community.
He said women’s participation in business activities would help realise the government’s aim in raising their participation in entrepreneurial activities.
“This is also in line with the national aspiration in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) to raise the rate of women participation in the workforce from 54.3 percent in 2016 to 59 percent in 2020,” he said.
Earlier, the associations present at the ceremony held at Wisma Wanita were presented with RM10,000 each to carry out their activities.