CM to officiate at 2018 Women’s Day celebration Sept 7
KOTA KINABALU: The 2018 Sabah level Women’s Day celebration will be organized at The Pacific Sutera here on September 7.
The Women’s Day celebration, organized by the Women and People’s Wellbeing Ministry, will be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“As we all know, the Women’s Day celebration is an annual event and is a traditional event for recognition, appreciation and the government’s symbol of concern for the contribution and role of women in the successful development of family, community, state and country,” said Assistant Women and People’s Wellbeing Minister Norazlinah Arif at a press conference about the event at the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Ministry building here yesterday.
Norzalinah said the celebration was also aimed at encouraging awareness of the community on the involvement of women in various fields, namely economic, political and social, whether in urban or rural areas.
“In Sabah, we are very fortunate to be able to live in harmony even though the community is of various races and religions. The women in this state are very supportive of the government’s call and often work in a team through NGOs and statutory bodies,” she said.
“The Sabah State Women’s Day celebration will not only be celebrated on September 7, but will also be filled with various programs that started from August until the end of September.
“Programs involve multiple levels of women from students to corporate groups, including local community regardless of men, women, old or young,” she added.
This year’s program is a result of a collaboration between the ministry and the Sabah Women Advisory Council (MPWS) and the Sabah Women Affairs Department.
The highlight of the Women’s Day Celebration on September 7 is the presentation of Sabah State Women’s Awards, as well as the Conference on Gender Inclusiveness and Gender Equality, on September 6.
“I hope women in the state will be given the opportunity and space to sit in decisionmaking seats in various fields. If belief is given to women, I am confident that women in the state will continue to strive to pursue excellence and realize the success of Sabah women and the development of this beloved state.
“With this support and enthusiasm, I believe the state’s women will be viable, competitive and move further forward not only at the local level but at the national and international levels.”
The Sabah level 2018 Women’s Day celebration program started as early as August 9 with the Women of Substance Conference in Kota Kinabalu, Single Mothers Development Program in Kota Kinabalu and Kunak, Training of Trainers program on the MPWS children’s marriage interactive module, child marriage awareness program, Conference on Gender Inclusiveness and Equality and Gender Development Program in places such as Kota Belud, Kinabatangan, Penampang, Membakut, Keningau and Tambunan.