Dynamic Women & PERANTIS Programme Help Empower Women Nationwide
KUCHING: The Dynamic Women Programme and the Women’s Leadership Apprenticeship Programme (PERANTIS) have proven successful in helping to empower women across the country.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said that since its introduction in 2021, the Dynamic Women Programme has benefited 21,274 women, of whom 8,000 are from Sarawak.
“Each participant is given a RM500 grant for their respective small enterprises, and specifically for Sarawak, nearly RM4 million has been allocated to support their entrepreneurial opportunities,” she said.
She made these remarks while delivering her speech at the International Women’s Day 2026 Celebration for the Borneo Zone, which was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg in Kuching on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, speaking on the PERANTIS programme, she said that 100 women were selected nationwide, with 11 of them from Sarawak.
“They receive a RM50,000 grant to train other women in leadership, creative fields and entrepreneurship.
“Overall, these initiatives have benefited 4,122 participants, including 644 from the Borneo Zone,” she added.
Touching on women’s health issues, Dato Sri Nancy, who is also the Minister Responsible for the International Women’s Day 2026 Borneo Zone Celebration, explained that the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) is targeting 32,000 women this year to undergo cervical cancer screening through HPV DNA testing, enabling early detection and saving lives.
She said Kampung Santubong in Sarawak has been selected as the pilot location, and more than 53,000 Sarawakian women have been screened over the past few years under this programme.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, deputy ministers, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews
