Musa acknowledges MPWS' role in empowering women in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) has received a pat on the back from the Chief Minister for having introduced three important projects to empower women in the state.
Tan Sri Musa Aman in acknowledging the council's contribution, said the three projects relating to entrepreneurship development, Women's Legal Aid Centre, and Interactive Module on Child Marriages, would enhance the potential of women and safeguard their rights and welfare, respectively.
"I was noted for the role that MPWS played in the 2017-2019 session to empower women, with three projects presented to me in July 2017.
"This positive development clearly shows that women have an important role in the development and progress of the state," he said in his speech at a gathering of Sabah women non-governmental organisations here today.
The text of his speech was read out by state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.
In his address, Musa also noted that the Women's Legal Aid Centre which commenced operations last Jan 2, had received 14 cases and resolved 1/3 of them.
As for the child marriage interactive module, the chief minister noted that the advocation course and training for counsellors would begin in April.
Meanwhile, state Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the child marriage interactive manual would be published for teachers and facilitators.
In another development, Jainab revealed that MPWS with the cooperation of the Sabah Women's Affairs Department was in the process of drawing up an Eight-Year Sabah Women's Development Plan to replace the 10-year plan which expired last year.
At the event, Hajiji also represented the chief minister in opening the women's legal aid centre and launching the manual. — Bernama