INANAM: The Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (Sawo) is closing shop after 40 years of championing women’s rights and political issues.
These have included women’s rights and political empowerment, lobbying for reforms on rape laws in seeking better legal protection for women and children and addressing violence against women and children, particularly in rural areas.
The actual reason for the decision is not immediately known. It is understood that a resolution to this effect was passed unanimously at the Group’s biennial general meeting in February.
The founding members are old, tired and burnt out after decades of voluntarism, said an insider.
Formed in 1986 and registered two years later, Sawo was a household word in its unprecedented struggle for gender justice. Its signature projects included public awareness raising campaigns against gender inequality and domestic violence, a rural outreach programme to provide services, resources and protection for rural communities, and the Sawo Helpline, a free counselling service which provided confidential emotional and psychological support, information and referrals to women and families in distress or crisis.
As a member of the Sabah Council of Social Services (MPMS), its Helpline Telephone Service is funded by the Government.
In 1988, Sawo and other women’s organisations jointly formed the Sabah Women Ad Hoc Committee for Legal Reforms and launched a statewide signature campaign against violence on women.
Then Minister of Social Services, the late Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, was the first to sign the petition pressing for legal reforms pertaining to the proposed amendment of then existing rape laws, and the enactment of the then proposed Domestic Violence Act.
Founder President of the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa), Datuk Nancy Ho, lamented that the imminent closure of Sawo will be a dark day for women in Sabah.
“I suggest that the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) take over this long-serving NGO if possible,” she said.
Past Chairman of the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS), Datuk Dr Tarsiah TZ Taman, said SAWO was an exemplary organisation which is well-known for its community services, particularly in providing support services to women and children in need in the rural areas.
“I hope other relevant associations will consider taking over some of the selfless services rendered by Sawo,” she said.
The Forum was SAWO’s last public event to mark its 40th anniversary and its closing to take effect Aug 31. It was a final experience sharing by the Group’s foremothers like Winnie Yee, Mary Lee and Anne Lasimbang at a panel session, while a documentary on Sawo’s 40 years - The Long & Winding Story was screened for members and invited guests.
Past President Dr Easwary Hari Ramulu and Interim President (2026) Jollify Daniel also spoke at the forum.
Former Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang, also a forum panellist, urged the present generation of women to not give up but soldier on, amid the challenges, towards achieving gender justice in Sabah.
Also present were former Deputy State Secretary Datuk Asnimar Sukardi, former State Health Director Datuk Dr Maria Suleiman, Deputy Director of the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (Jhewa) Aminah Jikor, and Inspector Ramona from the police force who has worked closely with Sawo.
