TUARAN: The socio-economic status of women in rural areas can be uplifted via tourism-related programmes, Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said.
He said skill-building projects or courses would help to enhance their overall economy and wellbeing.
Joniston, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman, pointed out that many women had become craft entrepreneurs and explore business opportunities in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
At the tourism level, he said his ministry and the Sabah Tourism Board, would always be ready to introduce and highlight products by rural women.
“In this day and age, there is a universal sentiment of gender equality and empowerment especially in the workplace.
“Women’s involvement in leadership can be seen clearly in the community when women actively participate in the community’s economic activities,” he said in a statement following the closing ceremony of the ‘I have A Dream’ programme at Kampung Mantob here.
The event was jointly organised by the Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies (BEST) Society, Hilton Kota Kinabalu Hotel, Borneo Eco Tours, MUKEST, and Mind Vistas to empower young women at the village.
“We are glad that there are non-governmental organisations which are committed to supporting women empowerment, especially in the rural community. We have seen a lot of this progress in recent years.
“There are many development projects that can be pursued to educate rural women and equip them with skills and knowledge that they may not have the access to. This ‘I Have a Dream’ is one of them.
“Hopefully this will encourage more NGOs to come up with more projects to help other rural communities in developing their own abilities,” Joniston said.
