Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Pakatan Harapan Women’s Chief Datuk Jannie Lasimbang said true justice and democracy in Sabah can only be achieved through concrete, sustained efforts that empower women by strengthening their rights, representation, protection and equal participation in all areas of society.
She said progress for women in Sabah and around the world remains limited, as many are still unheard, unprotected and under-represented in systems and decisions that affect their lives.
“On this International Human Rights Day, let us remember that women’s rights are human rights,” she said in a statement, Tuesday.
Jannie stressed that a society cannot claim to be just or democratic when half of its population carries greater burdens but holds less power.
“I call on the State Government and all political actors to move beyond symbolic commitments and take real, sustained action to empower women.
“This means creating genuine pathways for leadership, strengthening protection mechanisms and implementing gender-responsive policies that are inclusive and fair to women and girls,” she added.
She concluded that protecting women’s rights will strengthen the dignity, humanity and future of the entire society.