Kota Kinabalu: Women in the public sector must rise as agents of change and take on stronger leadership roles, said Sabah Cuepacs Women’s Chief Rosie Popong (pic), following the success of a national women’s workshop and forum held here, recently.
The three-day programme, themed “Empowering Women to be an Agent for Change,” gathered over 350 women representatives from Cuepacs affiliates nationwide — one of the largest women-centred events under the Cuepacs umbrella this year.
Rosie said the event was more than just a workshop — it became a platform for women to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations as leaders in the workforce.
“Empowered women are the backbone of a progressive society,” she said. “Through knowledge-sharing and collaboration, we are nurturing women who will not only lead but also inspire others to lead.”The forum featured Datuk Lok Yim Pheng, former Cuepacs Secretary-General and Jo-anna Henley Rampas from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), who shared insights on leadership, work-life balance, and the importance of confidence and continuous learning.
Participants described the sessions as eye-opening, especially on how women can balance career, family, and community responsibilities while still making meaningful contributions to nation-building.
The workshop portion, conducted by officers from the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan), focused on leadership skills, effective communication, and strategic thinking — all aimed at strengthening women’s capacity to lead within their organisations.
Rosie said the positive response reflected a growing determination among women trade unionists to play a bigger role in shaping the direction of their unions and the wider public service.
The event, officiated by Cuepacs President Datuk Dr Haji Adnan Mat, concluded with renewed enthusiasm and a collective pledge from participants to continue championing women’s empowerment across all sectors.
