SWEPA’s conference on empowering women lauded

Liew (middle) flanked by President Karen Wong (on her right) and organising chairperson Sitti Bahaya Damsal, with foreign and local speakers, panelists, and moderators.

14 August 2024

By AVV

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA) is lauded for its remarkable efforts in organising the conference titled “Empowering Women Leaders: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future.”

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew, commended SWEPA for their unwavering dedication to empowering women since the organisation's inception. She emphasised that the theme of this year’s conference resonates profoundly with their collective mission to foster a world where women can lead, innovate, and inspire without constraints.

This theme is especially pertinent as women globally continue to shatter the proverbial "glass ceiling." In developed countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe, capable women are ascending to prominent leadership roles, exemplified by those who have risen to the ranks of president or prime minister.

She shared, "At this point, the possibility of Malaysia having its first woman Prime Minister in the future cannot be overlooked. Our nation boasts a wealth of women leaders, and as the adage goes, 'Where there is a will, there is a way.'

Malaysia has already marked a significant milestone with Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail serving as the country's first female Deputy Prime Minister, shattering the 'glass ceiling' from 2018 to 2020.”

“This achievement instills hope that Malaysian women can aspire to the position of Prime Minister. The indispensable role of women in nation-building is undeniable.

"Another notable trailblazer is lawyer Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who made history in 2019 by being appointed as the Chief Justice of Malaysia, the first woman to lead the country's judiciary. In Sabah, I am immensely proud of the numerous Malaysian women who have broken barriers in various fields, achieving 'firsts' as State Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, Ambassadors, State Attorneys-General, Deputy State Secretaries, Members of Parliament, District Officers, Mayors, Presidents of Municipal Councils, and more. The list of accomplishments continues to expand."

Women in Malaysia are privileged compared to their counterparts in more conservative countries like Saudi Arabia, where women were historically banned from driving until 2018, she said adding that nevertheless, on a global scale, the path to achieving gender equality remains arduous and complex.

As long as gender disparities persist in education, the workforce, the economy, and the political sphere, women will encounter significant obstacles. It would be a remarkable feat if Malaysian women could secure 30% of candidacies in the upcoming general election in 2027, she said.

According to her, it remains to be seen if this ambitious goal of enhancing women's representation in politics can indeed materialise in the long run.

She encouraged conference participants to take full advantage of this conference by learning from the experiences and insights of the international speakers and to go beyond local perspectives so that they have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain a global understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The two-day event will see delegates delve into eight critical dimensions: Personal Development, Investment and Real Estate, In-Tech, Economic Development, Global Leadership, Environmental Justice, and the Power of AI and Data Analytics in Economic and Social Stability.

According to her, these topics are not only timely but essential for advancing women's roles in every sphere of life.

Additionally, the conference features three engaging plenary sessions focused on Leadership Journeys, E-Commerce and Digitalization, and Work-Life Harmony.

She encouraged participants to fully engage in these sessions, as they are designed to equip them with valuable insights and practical knowledge that they can apply in both their personal and professional lives.