Latest news with #Jhewa


Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
No meaningful growth if groups excluded
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Gerry Lewis Text Size: According to Flovia, programs of this nature are crucial in providing rural women with opportunities to express their views and actively participate in community development processes. SOOK: Gender mainstreaming in financing can no longer be regarded solely as the responsibility of women. Instead, it requires comprehensive involvement from all levels of society, including grassroots leaders, civil servants, and local administrators. Sabah's Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing, Datuk Flovia Ng, said inclusive and balanced development cannot be achieved if there are still groups excluded due to differences in gender, geographical location, or socioeconomic background. 'Being too neutral and not considering what men and women really need can actually cause unfairness without meaning to,' she said at the recent Gender Awareness Program in the rural area of Sook, held at Kampung Pinipi Hall. The program was organised by the Sabah Department of Women's Affairs (Jhewa) in collaboration with the Sook District Office and several other government agencies as an initiative to strengthen gender awareness at the rural community level. According to Flovia, programs of this nature are crucial in providing rural women with opportunities to express their views and actively participate in community development processes. 'When women's voices are heard, it doesn't just lead to fairer policies, it can also boost the social and economic health of the entire community. Sabah will only truly develop when all its citizens, regardless of gender, are able to enjoy equal opportunities and have their contributions recognized at all levels,' she said. The organisation of this program is part of the state government's ongoing efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Ministry grants for 52 Sabah business women
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Hanezliah receiving the grant from James while others look on. Kota Kinabalu: A total of 52 women entrepreneurs under the Sabah Department of Women's Affairs (Jhewa) received product packaging and labelling grants since the programme was introduced in 2018. Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing, Datuk James Ratib, said the achievement reflects the strong entrepreneurial potential among women in the State. 'At the same time, we also celebrate the success of 32 participants who have earned the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) across various fields. 'Congratulations to all recipients. You are role models for an independent and competitive generation of women,' he said when officiating the 2025 Jhewa Product Packaging Grant and SKM Certificate Presentation Ceremony. James said the State Government, through agencies including Jhewa, will continue efforts to build capacity, provide ongoing training and offer targeted support to ensure entrepreneurs not only sustain their ventures but also expand into broader markets, including international ones. However, he said long-term success depends on the entrepreneur's own commitment, discipline and determination to keep learning, innovating, and adapting to market needs. He added that the support given is not limited to physical assistance such as packaging or certification, but also serves as a boost of confidence and moral encouragement – a sign that the government stands firmly behind women entrepreneurs. Jhewa Director Haslina Ismail said the department remains committed to empowering women and targeted groups through capacity-building and skills development programmes. She said investing in human capital, particularly among women, single mothers and the B40 group, will generate sustainable economic benefits for the state. Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management Sector) of the Ministry Henry Idol and Deputy Chairperson of the Sabah Women's Advisory Council Datin Fauziah DSP Abu Bakar Titingan. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
28-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
6,000 attend ‘Santuni Wanita'
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Mardinah Jikur Text Size: 'Among the services offered is free legal aid for selected cases, which can ease the burden for women in need,' Flovia said. SANDAKAN: A total of 6,000 women across Sabah participated in the Santuni Wanita Outreach Programme. Organised by the Sabah Department of Women's Affairs (Jhewa) under the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing (KPMKR), it covers 68 State constituencies to date. Assistant Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Flovia Ng said the programme will be expanded to more areas to raise awareness on the available services under Jhewa. 'Among the services offered is free legal aid for selected cases, which can ease the burden for women in need,' she said. 'This outreach also serves as a platform to share useful information with the involvement of related agencies,' she said in a press conference after officiating the programme's closing ceremony at the Sandakan Community Hall, recently. The event was organised by Jhewa in collaboration with the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS), Federal Women's Development Department (JPW) and the Community Development Leader Units (UPPM) of Elopura and Tanjong Papat. Flovia represented the Minister, Datuk James Ratib. Frankie welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of exposing more women, especially youths, to digital literacy in line with current technological trends. Earlier in her speech, Flovia said the programme is a new high-impact initiative under KPMKR's five-year strategic plan (2021–2025) aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap. Meanwhile, Haslina highlighted that the programme conveyed a clear and important message, addressing women's rights in marriage, domestic violence and mental health which are three closely-related and highly relevant issues alongside legal awareness and understanding of women's rights. Also present were Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, Jetama Water Sdn Bhd Chairman and Assemblyman's Secretary Liau Fui Fui, Community Development Leader Mohd Faried Ismail, Jhewa Director Haslina Ismail, Sandakan District Police Administration Head DSP Sharanjeit Atar Singh and a representative from the MPS President's office. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Programme under Jhewa to support vulnerable women
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 Text Size: Flovia said collaboration between government agencies like Jhewa, the Prisons Department and the Women's Development Department should continue in the future, though she noted that certain aspects need refinement for similar programmes in other women's prisons across Sabah. Kota Kinabalu: The Wanita Sejahtera@JHEWCARE programme has launched an initiative to support vulnerable women through collaboration between the Sabah Department of Women Affairs (Jhewa) and the Malaysian Prisons Department. Sixty selected participants took part in the programme, which provides legal counselling, mediation services, emotional and mental health support and skills training to enhance participants' capabilities and prepare them for reintegration into society. Advertisement Community Development and People's Welfare Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng said the new programme under Jhewa targets vulnerable groups as defined by the United Nations. 'The Sabah Government through Jhewa provides various specialised assistance for women in the State, including Skills Courses, Equipment Grant Assistance and Entrepreneurship Promotion Programmes,' she said at the programme's launch at the Kota Kinabalu Women's Prison. 'These aids aim to build capacity, resilience and competitiveness among women entrepreneurs registered under Jhewa to help diversify their products for competitive marketing,' she said. She said products from women's prison workshops are of high quality, as participants receive training from experienced instructors. Advertisement She expressed hope that the skills learned would benefit the women upon their release. Flovia said collaboration between government agencies like Jhewa, the Prisons Department and the Women's Development Department should continue in the future, though she noted that certain aspects need refinement for similar programmes in other women's prisons across Sabah. 'Early exposure to government assistance programmes, along with awareness talks to boost self-confidence for continued progress and moving past previous mistakes, are essential,' she said. She pointed out the importance of community support for accepting these women back into society to prevent repeat offences. The programme also plans to invite other government agencies to help provide second chances to participants. 'Humans make mistakes, but when they have changed, we should not refuse to accept them. We want to give the best to all levels of society, especially to them,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
19-06-2025
- Daily Express
Drugs and gambling breaking up families: Ratib
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 By: Clarence Dol Text Size: James said cases of family breakdown and domestic violence also stem from drug abuse. Kota Kinabalu: Drugs and online gambling are both forms of addiction that are breaking up families and causing the collapse of family institutions. Minister of Community Development & People's Wellbeing Datuk James Bin Ratib (pic) said many cases have been received by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) especially regarding online gambling. Advertisement 'This is very worrying because it can neglect our responsibilities towards our families and spend money that should be used for family needs. 'These gamblers will also always be burdened with debt which can contribute to family fights. 'I call on the authorities to take this matter seriously because it can destroy family families and Malaysian society in general,' he said. James said cases of family breakdown and domestic violence also stem from drug abuse. 'Statistics by the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) from 2015 to 2018 show that 83 percent of the 309 cases of domestic violence are caused by drug addiction. James added that issues related to divorce, fights over child custody and various other things are always highlighted as signs of shortcomings in the family institution in Malaysia. He said the government is working to curb this problem while providing scientific enlightenment or legal advice through legal clinics and legal literacy slots. 'For example, the Sabah Women's Legal Aid Centre service supervised by the Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa) provides free legal assistance for Syariah, Civil and Native Court cases, especially those involving family cases.' 'Jhewa has received almost 200 cases especially involving rural communities and it is hoped that this initiative will leave a positive impact for the betterment of our community,' he said. James added the Santuni Wanita Outreach Program is a continuation of the new flagship initiative of a high-impact project in the human capital sector and people's well-being in line with the direction of the KPMKR for the years 2021-2025 under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Plan. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia