KUCHING: A few hundred “beliawanis” (young women) received some eye-openers and morale booster during a programme held at a local hotel on Labour Day.
The programme was aimed at preparing and empowering young women for future endeavours, and providing a platform for them to convey their ideas on ways to address issues faced by them.
It was hoped that the programme would in some ways unleash certain potentials in the young women by providing them with pertinent information to enable them to take control of their own lives, communities and work/industry.
One of the participants, 28-year-old Nur Fitriayu, said she was glad to have been given the opportunity to speak about issues that needed to be dealt with by the relevant authorities and ministries.
“The most memorable for me was the opportunity of having a two-way communication with the minister regarding issues faced by Sarawak youths,” she said.
The “minister” she was referring to was Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
“We talk about ways to improve ourselves and acquiring some know-how through involvement in associations and/or political bodies,” she told reporters.
Another participant, 21-year-old Dzufarhanis Abdullah, did not allow a broken leg to deter her from taking part in the programme.
She appreciated the opportunity to speak about matters concerning her village hoping that the issues could be resolved in the near future.
She also touched on the need for equality between men and women, saying there is no need for discrimination in terms of employment and participation in any field of human endeavours.
On her part, Fatimah, who officiated at the opening ceremony, said such a programme was vital and that the module used shall be a guideline to be implemented in other state constituencies to further empower youths in their respective areas.
