​Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership in building a more resilient ASEAN ready to face challenges in the future.

She said this attending the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia from April 22 to 24.

Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah also emphasised women’s involvement as a strategic necessity that will drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable progress, while sharing that Brunei Darussalam made significant progress, with women making up to 56 per cent of the workforce, while 65 per cent of them hold leadership and senior management roles.

She added that the achievement is born from equitable access to quality education and the continued opportunities that are available.

LegCo Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee also attended the meeting aimed to support the WAIPA Committee meeting slated to be held in September during the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

The meeting, organised by the Malaysian House of Representatives, was themed around ‘Steering Innovation, Inclusivity and Diversity Through Gender-Balanced Parliaments for A Future-Ready ASEAN’.

The Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg officiated the meeting accompanied by the Representatives of the House of Representative and AIPA President Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Johari bin Abdul.

The LegCo members also exchanged views and best practices during the dialogue session titled ‘Championing Collaborative Efforts on Women’s Political Participation and Leadership’, attended by members from AIPA, Sarawak State Government and United Nations Women.

(News source: Borneo Bulletin)