Women Empowerment Not Only Matter Of Fairness But Key Driver Of Economic And Social Development

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The Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp is a shining example of how the Government, private sector and civil society can work together to ensure that women are not only given a seat at the table but are empowered to lead with confidence.

This was said by the Deputy Minister of Women and Early Childhood Development Sarawak YB Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus, who was delivering the keynote address at the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp (SWOT) Women Leadership Soirée Dinner.

YB Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus, Deputy Minister of Women and Early Childhood Development Sarawak, shining a light on how the collaboration between Government, private sector and civil society can play a role in women empowerment during her keynote address at the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp (SWOT) Women Leadership Soirée Dinner.
Calling it a “celebration of the power of collaboration”, the Deputy Minister, who was there on behalf of the Premier of Sarawak YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, added, “The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and with that evolution comes new challenges that demand innovative and resilient leadership. Women leaders are not only capable of navigating these challenges but are uniquely positioned to bring fresh perspectives and solutions that will shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.”

In her keynote address at the opening of the SWOT 2024, Dato’ Sri Hajah Rohani Abdul Karim, Advisor in the Premier Office, Sarawak, said the need for sustainable leadership is evident, and this is where initiatives like SWOT become indispensable.

“The Global Gender Gap Index places Malaysia at 103 out of 146 countries, with room for significant improvement. But through continuous Government efforts, corporate involvement, and programmes such as SWOT, we are making steady strides in ensuring that women in Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, are prepared to lead in today’s evolving world,” she said.

Chairperson of WLF, Dato’ Hafsah Hasim commented that SWOT 2024 is designed to tackle today’s challenges while preparing women leaders for tomorrow’s opportunities and responsibilities.

“The challenges we face today–be it in climate, economy, or social equality–require leaders who can navigate uncertainty with wisdom, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. The Women Leadership Foundation’s mission has always been to ensure that women are not just participants in this journey, but leaders who will shape the future,” she added.

In her speech at the event, Ms. Ada Liew, Principal Consultant of Huawei Malaysia, highlighted the unique strengths women bring to leadership roles, particularly their natural inclination toward teamwork and collaboration.

“Huawei has long championed gender equality, not only within our organisation but across the global ICT landscape. Our commitment is clear: we aim to provide the necessary tools and platforms that enable women to thrive in leadership roles and inspire others to break through barriers,” she said.

Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia), together with the Women Leadership Foundation (WLF), recently completed the third instalment of the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp to resounding success, with participation nearly doubling from 29 participants in 2022 to 54 this year.

This year’s Bootcamp embodied a more diverse pool of participants, including individuals from the Government, Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This reflected SWOT's dedication to inclusivity and its ability to cater to various industries, further shaping the future of women in leadership across diverse sectors in Sarawak.

Themed "Empowerment for Sustainable Leadership: Navigating Tomorrow's Challenges", the four-day bootcamp featured keynote speeches from 30 prominent women in both public and private sectors, offering insights and personal stories to inspire participants to break barriers and become active players in shaping the future digital economy.

Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp (SWOT) 2024 participants after their one-day industry visit to the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), gaining hands on experience in emerging technologies.
Participants also took part in a one-day industry visit to the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), gaining hands-on experience in emerging technologies to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications of digital tools and innovations.

Beyond technical training, participants were also introduced to technology-enabled biodiversity conservation by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation during a visit to the Matang Wildlife Center, highlighting the power of technology in environmental stewardship and responsible leadership.

A transformative leadership programme, SWOT 2024 is aimed at fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality in support of the women leadership agenda in the country. This year’s programme provided comprehensive training in emerging technologies, business strategies, professional ethics, and corporate governance, while emphasising forward-thinking, inclusive, and responsible leadership skills.

Since October 2021, Huawei Malaysia and WLF have collaborated to develop female leadership through the Huawei ASEAN Academy, with a strong focus on sustainability tech. This partnership has provided over 1,000 hours of training to more than 2,000 individuals, with 34 per cent of participants advancing their careers, and at least 43 individuals moving into C-suite positions and board memberships.

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