Kota Kinabalu: The Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) (IDS) is set to host a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, March 18, focusing on empowering women’s roles in socio-economic development and state governance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the chief executive officer of IDS, Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, announced that the session aims to identify the challenges women face across various sectors and explore initiatives to enhance their participation in the state’s development. The discussion, titled ‘Empowering Women: Towards a More Inclusive Future’, will also examine the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in fortifying women’s empowerment at the community level.

The session will delve into different initiatives such as skills training programmes, entrepreneurship support, women’s leadership programmes, and capacity-building efforts. Dr Ramzah highlighted the essential role of NGOs in improving women’s living standards, particularly at the grassroots level. He noted that NGOs are pivotal in voicing community issues and actively organising training and skill development programmes.

The roundtable will feature representatives from NGOs, community leaders, economists, as well as members from the public and private sectors, ensuring a comprehensive dialogue on the subject.