Rosey delivers her speech at the ‘Meet & Greet’.
MIRI: More mentoring programmes to empower women should be held in Sarawak to boost the capacity of women in entrepreneurship development.
Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus said her ministry would fully support such events.
“I hope more women will join such programmes for the betterment of themselves as entrepreneurs, society, and the nation as a whole,” she said when launching the Women Empowerment Mentoring Programme ‘Meet & Greet’ Session yesterday.
Organised by the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa), the programme was held in collaboration with Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association Sarawak (WEPS) and the Penang Women’s Chambers of Commerce (PWCC).
The ‘Meet & Greet Session’ involved physical attendance and virtual participation through Zoom conference.
Among those who joined the session were United States Embassy cultural affairs officer Katherine Diop, WEPS president Serawa Budol, Swepa president Lai Fui Nar, PWCC president Datu Annie Chin, and organising chairlady and Women Empowerment Programme manager Michelle La De Harpe.
Rosey, who is Bekenu assemblywoman, said she hoped the synergy, partnership, collaboration, and initiatives by the United States Embassy together with the women’s organisations would continue in future.
While thanking the US Embassy for sponsoring the programme, which began last October and will run until next month, she said it is in line with the country’s objective and aspiration to have 30 per cent women’s participation at decision-making level in both the public and private sectors.
“There’s been excellent progress for women leaders in business and other fields too over the last 10 years or more, and that’s what is needed for sustainable growth for our society and nation.
“This business mentorship programme is indeed timely as our government is actively promoting entrepreneurship for all sectors, particularly among women entrepreneurs,” she said.
Rosey cited challenges faced by women include the lack of sustainable skills and knowledge, inaccessible markets, as well as a lack of funding and networking.
She added the government has introduced and implemented several initiatives and programmes to encourage and boost entrepreneurship among women to ensure the country continues to grow sustainably.