KUCHING: A new leadership development programme has been launched to strengthen Dayak women entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills to succeed in business and lead their communities.
The PERANTIS-PENDAYA Leadership Development Programme, organised by the Women Empowerment and Sustainability Network Association (WESNA) Kuching in collaboration with the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), will take place on Jan. 12 and 13 this year.
The programme was unveiled at a press conference by Minister of Women Development, Family and Community, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, at the Dayak Chamber here today.
PERANTIS is a national initiative under the Ministry of Women Development, Family and Community (KPWKM) that empowers women through leadership training, entrepreneurship development, mentorship, and socio-economic participation.
“Up to 2025, PERANTIS has implemented 100 programmes across the country, involving 4,720 women from various backgrounds,” Nancy highlighted.
The programme aims to nurture confident and competitive women leaders.
“In Sarawak, the last PERANTIS programme involved 640 participants. Of these, three programmes focused on the economy, two on social development, three on leadership, and one on technology,” Nancy said.
She added that their goal is to nurture more women who are confident and able to act as community leaders and drivers of the national economy.
“For the whole country, a RM5 million budget has been allocated to PERANTIS, with each participant receiving RM50,000. The goal is to encourage more participants, who will pitch their ideas to a panel of expert professionals,” said Nancy, outlining the funding and opportunities available to participants.
The two-day programme will include workshops on leadership, strategic decision-making, communication, negotiation and sustainable business practices, alongside mentorship and networking opportunities.
The PERANTIS-PENDAYA programme is the first under the broader PERANTIS initiative specifically tailored for Dayak women entrepreneurs, though PERANTIS itself has been running nationwide since 2024 to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills among women.
