Kota Kinabalu: Efforts in empowering Sabahan women continues despite low female representation in the State Assembly.
Toward the long-standing goal of at least 30 per cent women in leadership, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women’s chief Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun said the establishment of a dedicated Women’s Ministry marked an important step forward.
Currently, only five women hold seats out of 73 elected representatives, and just one woman, Datuk Julita Majungki who is the said minister, sits in the state Cabinet.
“More structural support is needed to strengthen women’s participation in politics and the workforce.
“Women already form the majority in several sectors. Around 60 to 70 per cent of university students are women and more than half of researchers at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) are female.
“We must continue to support and empower them so they can contribute fully to the state’s development,” she said after delivering her 2026 New Year mandate at the IDS hall on Thursday.
Azizah who is also IDS Chairwoman added that future constitutional amendments allowing for additional ministries could open space for more women leaders, provided more women are elected.
She described 2025 as a year of strong expansion and productivity for the state think tank.
IDS recorded 177 research projects in 2025, more than tripling its output from 56 in 2024. Strategic collaborations rose to 55 from 52, while public events increased to 63 compared to 49 the previous year.
Position papers, presentations and reports totalled 17, slightly down from 19, while speeches declined to 21 from 43. Interviews, podcasts and ad-hoc engagements stood at 38 compared to 42 in 2024.
Azizah credited the gains to the commitment of IDS researchers who frequently conducted extensive fieldwork despite challenging conditions.
Looking ahead, she said IDS will prioritise research aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 roadmap, particularly studies aimed at identifying the root causes behind poverty in Sabah’s 10 poorest districts, including Pitas, Tongod and Kota Marudu.
She stressed that each district faced different structural challenges and required tailored, evidence-based solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“IDS’ role is to produce practical policy recommendations that government agencies can implement to raise incomes, expand economic opportunities and lift communities out of poverty.
“The institute also strengthens research on entrepreneurship, rural economic development and women’s participation in decision-making, to ensure inclusive growth and that no community is left behind in Sabah’s development,” she said.
