Malaysia's Sarawak State Minister Discusses Women's Issues With Indian Counterpart

NEW DELHI, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah held talks on gender issues and women's welfare with India's Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi and participated in a civil society event in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The courtesy call on Devi by the Sarawak state minister underscored the importance of cooperation in enhancing support systems for women affected by violence as both Malaysia and India are committed to women's empowerment and gender equality, the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi said in a social media post on Wednesday.

The interaction provided an opportunity to exchange views on women empowerment, early childhood development, and community wellbeing," the Indian minister said on the social media platform X.

Fatimah's January 5 to 7 visit to Delhi was at the invitation of South Asian Women's Network (SWAN) patron Veena Sikri, a retired diplomat who served as India's high commissioner to Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The Sarawak state minister and her accompanying delegation, including Sarawak Indian Women Association (SIWA) president Paliani Samba Bilaidom, also known as Lucy Lingam, participated in a civil society dialogue organised by SWAN at the India International Centre on Tuesday.

The discussion focused on the South Asian International Women's Assembly 2026 (SIWA 2026), which is being organised by SIWA and will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, from September 8 to 10.

SWAN is seeking to collaborate with Sarawak on the initiative.

Participants discussed best practices, logistical support and ideas for the Sarawak event, which is expected to draw women leaders, policymakers and civil society actors.

-- BERNAMA