KUCHING: Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institutes (SFWI) has called for more parties to be involved in women development in the state.

SFWI chairperson Datuk Norhyati Mohd Ismail said co-operation between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporations is vital in developing constructive social development programmes for women, especially those from the B40 community.

“Apart from focusing on welfare, corporate bodies also should carry out such initiatives through holistic socio-development programmes such as those provided by Shell Malaysia under its Sustainable Development Grants programme.

“This will serve as an avenue for women to improve themselves to get out from the poverty cycle,” she said to the New Sarawak Tribune at the launch of D’Athirah Enterprise Magic Sewing Academy at Jalan Green here yesterday. She praised D’Athirah Enterprise Magic Sewing Academy for its initiative to assist and empower women, especially housewives and single mothers in the B40 group.

“SFWI welcomes such efforts which are in line with our objective of empowering women. 

“I hope large local corporate bodies will take this as an example to organise similar social responsibility programmes and incentives. We should realise that human capital skills are vital for the well-being of society,” she added.