MIRI: Advancing women’s empowerment requires more than celebration. It calls for sustained support, leadership opportunities and a collective commitment from society, a Sarawak deputy minister said on Sunday.
Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department responsible for Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring, said the achievements of women in politics, business and community leadership show that gender equality is no longer merely an aspiration but an emerging reality.
However, he stressed that continued progress depends on creating more opportunities for women to lead and participate fully in decision-making.
Gerawat said this while speaking at a dinner organised by the Persatuan Wanita Orang Ulu Miri in conjunction with International Women’s Day at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club. He highlighted the expanding role women play in shaping families, communities and national development.
“Empowering women creates wider social progress. When women thrive, society rises together,” he told the audience.
Observed annually on March 8, International Women’s Day promotes gender equality and recognises women’s achievements in social, economic, cultural and political spheres.
Gerawat noted that the global movement, first officially recognised in 1911, remains an important reminder of how far women have come since an era when many were denied equal rights and opportunities.
“In the past, women in many countries could not vote and had limited access to professional careers,” he said.
“Today the situation has changed significantly. Women are not only participating in politics and industry but are also leading nations and major institutions.”
He cited several prominent global figures as examples, including former German chancellor Angela Merkel, Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum and former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, noting that their leadership reflects the growing influence of women on the world stage.
Malaysia, he added, has also seen increasing representation of women in government. He pointed to federal ministers such as Nancy Shukri, Azalina Othman Said, Hannah Yeoh and Fadhlina Sidek, as well as Sarawak minister Fatimah Abdullah.
Their achievements, he said, should inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.
Malaysia has also introduced policies encouraging organisations to ensure that at least 30 per cent of senior leadership and board positions are held by women, he added.
“That target is a starting point. It sends a clear signal that women must be given space to lead because they have the ability to contribute at the highest levels,” he said.
Gerawat also praised the Persatuan Wanita Orang Ulu Miri for its active role in community engagement and cultural preservation. The association frequently collaborates with other groups and organises programmes aimed at strengthening social ties and promoting unity in Sarawak’s diverse society.
He highlighted the group’s efforts in promoting traditional Orang Ulu cultural performances, particularly the iconic Datun Julud dance, which he described as an important expression of indigenous identity.
Cultural preservation, he said, must involve younger generations to ensure traditions remain relevant.
“If the younger generation does not learn and continue these cultural expressions, there is a real risk that they may gradually disappear,” he said.
Gerawat said community organisations such as the Persatuan Wanita Orang Ulu play a vital role in sustaining heritage while encouraging women to take part actively in social and economic development.
The deputy minister also announced a RM15,000 Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to support the association’s future activities and programmes.
The funding, he said, would strengthen the organisation’s capacity to organise initiatives benefiting its members and the wider community.
Gerawat, who attended the event with his wife Esther Balan, also congratulated the association’s chairperson Kijan Toynbee and the organising committee for successfully hosting the International Women’s Day celebration.
He said initiatives led by grassroots organisations remain crucial in building confident and empowered communities.
“Women have always played a central role in shaping strong families and stable societies,” he said.
“Recognising their contributions is important, but more importantly we must continue supporting their advancement.”
The dinner brought together community leaders and members of the Orang Ulu community in Miri to celebrate women’s achievements while highlighting the ongoing push for gender equality.
