Women’s affairs now under Ministry of Health

KOTA KINABALU: The women’s affairs portfolio is within the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and People’s Wellbeing, which was previously the Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal hoped the clarification would help erase confusion and speculation, especially among members of women non-governmental organisations as well as the public at large.

“People’s wellbeing includes women’s wellbeing which directly influences development for women.

“Under the Ministry, there is the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (JHEWA), which plans and implements programmes for women development,” he said, in his opening address at the State-level Women’s Day 2018 celebration, Friday night.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Christina Liew, who represented him.

Aside from JHEWA, Shafie added there is also the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) to aid the government in tackling women’s issues.

He assured that the State government through the Ministry will continue to support and implement the National Women Policy and the Women Development Action Plan.

“As a concerned government, we are always open to suggestions and views to improve, especially for women empowerment overall,” he said.

Shafie expressed confidence that the women development plan in Malaysia by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development will see a transformation in encouraging and integrating women in national development, holistically.

He assured that Sabah will not be left out in reaping the benefits of this paradigm shift where women are the backbone of the national socio-economy.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing Norazlinah Arif, in representing Minister Stephen Wong, said Sabah now has a Women Wellbeing Index, aimed at measuring the level of women wellbeing in the State.

She said the index will serve as a guide in the planning and finalising of development policies in Sabah.

“The index will be completed before the end of the year. Congratulations and thank you to MPWS, especially the research team and providers of the index here,” she added.