Nancy (front, second right), with Fatimah on her right, presents a certificate of appreciation to the event’s moderator and UCSI University Sarawak pro vice-chancellor Mukvinder Kaur Sandhu on stage, as (from right) Sharifah Hasidah, Rosey and others look on.
KUCHING (Feb 11): A woman’s success should be celebrated by others, instead of being brought down, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
“We must support one another. Today is a day to appreciate every woman who has fought, who is still striving, and who is building her own legacy; not to bring her down.
“The International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration of women’s achievements, as it is also a platform to raise awareness, recognise their contributions and highlight their roles across society, economy, and politics,” she said at the‘2025 Borneo Zone International Women’s Day’ celebration at UCSI Hotel here today.
According to the Santubong MP, the celebration also aims to raise awareness of the challenges that women face today and at the same time, to reaffirm the government’s commitment to prioritising gender equality in national planning and development.
“This year’s theme ‘Women with Aspirations, Building a Legacy’ holds deep significance, as it symbolises the courage and determination of women in pursuing their dreams and creating a lasting impact.
“The women today continue to advance across various fields, from education and leadership to technology, security and the economy.
“Nevertheless, we know that the journey is far from over, and the fight must continue to ensure that every woman has equal opportunities and is free from all forms of discrimination.
“This theme also carries the message that women are not just the backbone of their families, but also the leaders and key drivers of societal and national development.
“The government remains committed to building a more just, inclusive, and progressive society,” she added.
However, Nancy also emphasised that this success could only be achieved if all parties including the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individuals, worked together to eliminate violence against women and empower their participation in decision-making.
On the theme, the federal minister described it as being aligned with the 1995 Beijing Declaration, serving as a guiding framework for women’s empowerment and the fight against discrimination over the past 30 years.
“This year, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, through the Department of Women Development, has introduced a new approach to celebrating International Women’s Day.
“For the first time, the celebration is being held across five zones nationwide: Borneo, East, South, Central, and North.
“This approach allows more women from different states and communities to participate, rather than concentrating the event in a single location as in previous years,” she explained.
This year, the event also received new collaborations from Sarawak Energy Berhad and UCSI University, alongside existing partners such as Kelab Wanita Ikon Malaysia, Sarawak Women and Family Department, and Sabah Women’s Affairs Department.
About 500 women from Sabah and Sarawak took part in the 2025 Borneo Zone International Women’s Day celebration here.
Also present were Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and her deputy Datuk Rosey Yunus, as well as Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
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