Sarawak’s Women’s Day 2026 celebrates outstanding contributions

A group photo of distinguished guests, attendees and performers of the state-level Women’s Day celebration today.

KUCHING, 2 August 2026: The Sarawak State-Level Women’s Day 2026 celebration took place earlier today at Pullman Kuching, celebrating and recognising the contribution and active participation of Sarawak women towards the state’s goal towards being a high-income, digitally advanced and innovation-driven economy through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

Graced by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Opengand his daughter, Dayang Norjihan, Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah and Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam, the event, themed ‘Sarawak Women in Digital Economy’ was also joined by over 4,500 people virtually, from 45 districts.

“Sarawak women are at the heart of the state’s digital transformation, harnessing innovation, entrepreneurship and technology to create new opportunities, strengthen communities and drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth across both rural and urban Sarawak,” said Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah in her opening address. “As Sarawak moves towards creating between 39,000 and 48,750 new semi-skilled and high-skilled digital jobs by 2030, while targeting the digital economy to contribute 20% of the State’s Gross Domestic Product, women are not merely witnesses to this transformation, but are active participants, innovators, decision-makers and leaders who are involved in driving that transformation forward.”

In his launching speech, the Sarawak Premier announced that the state government will consider the minister’s request for additional allocation related to women’s development in the 2027 Budget, as part of efforts to strengthen training, leadership development and women’s economic empowerment in the state.

Sarawak Premier (5^th left) launching the Sarawak Women’s Day celebration earlier today at Pullman Kuching.

“This includes applications for additional grants, a grant for the development of the ‘Women Entrepreneurship Dashboard (WED) as well as increased grant for the Sarawak Women and Family Council,” he added.

During today’s event, the Premier presented a total of 7 awards in conjunction with the celebration, in recognition of outstanding contributions of women and NGOs in various fields, including BorneoTalk’s own Ivy Pan for her decades of unwavering commitment to humanitarian work, community empowerment and social development.

Distinguished guests posing for a group photo with all the recipients of the Sarawak Premier’s Awards.

Full list of winners:

1. Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib Award:

   Toh Puan Hayati Ahmat

2. Sarawak Premier Women Leader Award:

   Dato Fenny Nuli

3. Sarawak Premier Women Entrepreneur Award:

   Dr. Sharifah Suzana Wan Shukran

4. Sarawak Premier Women Social Activist Award:

   Ivy Pan

5. Sarawak Premier Young Women Leader Award:

   Jezzebelle Buyau

6. Sarawak Premier Special Award:

   Sarawak Women in Digital Economy ~ Sim Ko Sin

7. Sarawak Premier Outstanding NGO Award:

   Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society

Congratulations to all!