KUCHING: The state government aspires to see more women as leaders in Sarawak, so that their voices and thoughts as women can be heard, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said that with more women leaders, a holistic perspective could be achieved for the benefit of women, families, and the public at large.
“It is very important that we are committed to adding to the pool of potential leaders, such as through this Women Leadership Training Programme (WLTP),” she said when speaking at the WLTP 2020 Working Dinner at Waterfront Hotel here on Wednesday.
She said that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last year had promised that by the year 2025, Sarawak would be able to achieve 30 per cent of women in decision-making roles.
“However, he pointed out that women’s success in public service and the corporate is not just about the percentage of representation, but more about the results or outcomes,” she said, expressing her agreement.
Fatimah emphasised that what was key was the impact of the women leaders; if they were contributing to the society, state, and nation.
She commended that the number of participants had increased significantly compared to last year’s 20.
“We targeted 50 participants, but we have achieved 58 in just this first zone,” she said.
According to her, the programme would be continued in two more zones. “This is the first zone (south). In March, we will go to the central zone and then in April we will have the programme in the north zone,” she said.
She emphasised that WLTP could be conducted as the Chief Minister had last year allocated RM500,000 for the course to be carried out in the three zones.
Fatimah said that in the seven days of the training programme, it was hoped that participants could be exposed to the criteria, knowledge, and skills that a good leader should possess.
“Through courses like this, we want to build up your potential,” she told the audience.
She said there should be follow-ups such as courses focusing on specific areas such as public speaking.
Touching on the next step, she advised the participants that it was up to them to determine their journey to become a leader.
Fatimah urged participants to be more visible by acquiring more knowledge and by providing services based on one’s expertise and in one’s respective area.
Also present were Assistant Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Rosey Yunus and Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad.
