Antara topik-topik yang akan dibincangkan adalah:
1. Hak-Hak Wanita Dalam Perundangan Sivil dan Syariah
2. Ketelusan dan Hak-Hak Wanita Dalam Perundang Sivil dan Syariah
3. Keganasan Rumahtangga dan Isu Sosial (Isu Pengguguran dan Pembuangan Bayi)

"The Government has actually taken the necessary measures to increase women's participation in decision-making roles towards achieving the 30 per cent target. Today, positive changes are tangible in terms of women's participation in decision-making in the public sector," he said when officiating at the 2007 State-level Women's Day celebration at Magellan Sutera Hotel.

According to Musa, three women have been appointed to the Jawatan Utama Sektor Awam Grade (Jusa) or Premier Grade in the Public Sector compared with zero appointment at one stage in the past. "I am happy with positive developments relating to women's achievement in the State where they are promoted to important positions at Ministry or department level. This is testimony of the Government's commitment to meeting the 30 per cent target for women's involvement in decision-making".

"Currently, there are two women holding the post of Ministry Permanent Secretary. Beginning 2005, women were also given the opportunity to be appointed Deputy State Secretary," he said. Musa, however, conceded that the target has yet to be achieved. About 1,000 people attended the celebration, culminating in the presentation of the 2007 Tokoh Wanita Award, Women in Excellence Award and Excellent Women Organisation Award (See separate story).

Also present were Musa's wife, Datin Hjh Faridah Hj Tussin, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Community Development & Consumer Affairs, Datuk Hj Yahya Hussin, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun, Deputy State Secretary, Maznah Ghani, Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim and their spouses.

Musa said this year's Women's Day is all the more significant as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's Independence Day. Musa said the progress achieved by the country is the "fruit" of the people's effort in maintaining peace and harmony throughout the period. "In reality, women have also contributed to the nation's success in generating economic progress and prosperity over five decades."

He acknowledged the role played by women in contributing to national development even before independence. "In fact, women who are ready to make sacrifices for the country, were involved in the struggle for independenceÉthey have continued to play their part, alongside their male counterparts, until today."

Musa said this year's Women's Day theme – Women: Heart of the Nation – is most apt as many women have been prime movers in the country's development. "With this realisation, the Government is set to upgrade women's status to enable them to continue contributing to Malaysia's socio-economic development, particularly under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). The theme is a manifestation of women's vital role as a contributor to mainstream development".

Musa paid tribute to MPWS which has remained the platform for women development in the State since its inception in August 1988. "Although its leadership has changed hands, the Council's objectives and 'struggle for women' agenda are perpetuated to ensure that women's rights and interests are safeguarded."

MPWS through strong partnership with women non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has successfully organised numerous programmes for the overall betterment of women and career advancement.

The Chief Minister also noted that the role played by MPWS and the Women and Family Development Council (MPWK) at state and parliamentary constituency levels is boosted by women's wings of political parties and women NGOs.

"You also have the support of the Sabah Women's Affairs Department (JHEWA) which acts as the secretariat to MPWS and MPWK. I am aware that Sabah women are not left out from the mainstream of development as these organisations are active in organising various development programmes in line with the progress at national level," he said. JHEWA is headed by Hj Siti Sapoo Hj Ahok.

Earlier, in her address, MPWS Chairperson Datin Asnimar Hj Sukardi said women are truly the "heart" of the nation. "Women are no longer mere 'window dressing' but play a major role in national development by complementing efforts in this direction."

She said this was reflected in the country's workforce comprising 36 per cent women, while in Sabah, women's participation in the labour market is almost 32 per cent. "Likewise, we have 48 per cent registered women voters in Sabah, making them a force to be reckoned with."

In addition, she said, many housewives today are more than just homemakers in that they have widened their role to supplement the family's income, thus contributing to the nation's economy. "Enterprising women have also emerged from their cottage industries to manage big businesses or set up their own industries."

(Story C) BERNADATE Annol @ Norhanida, 57, a single mother of three, walked away with the 2007 Women of Excellence Award which carries a trophy, a gold brooch and a certificate of appreciation. "I am thankful to the Government, MPWS, women's organisations, my family and friends for their support and confidence in my role," she said.

She singlehandedly raised three children – Ivan Roger, Nurul Aniza and Mohd Hazli. Success stories as told by the trio proved that their mother is no mean achiever. Ivan has a diploma in Business Studies while Nurul (Sabah's 2002 Queen's Guide) is pursuing tertiary education at UiTM and Mohd Hazli is studying at Monash University, Sunway under the sponsorship of Petronas.

Hazli has so far won two awards: Hopeful Generation Award (2005) in conjunction with the State-level Women's Day celebration and Anugerah Tokoh Remaja 2007 presented by the State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Born in Penampang, Norhanida began her working career as a trained teacher in 1971. In 1976, she was appointed a lecturer at Gaya Teachers Training College. Upon retirement in 2006, she became a part-time lecturer at Unitar.

Presently, she is the Chairperson of SM La Salle Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Norhanida is also actively involved in the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (GGAM) Sabah Branch as a trainer, West Coast Sabah Single Mothers Association as Deputy Chairperson and Pacos (Partners in Community Organisations) as a trainer-cum-administrative personnel. In 2006, she served as an executive committee member of Desanita (Rural Women Development Organisation).

Norhanida takes part in community service projects benefiting Seri Mengasih Centre, Sekolah Taman Seri Puteri, Sri Pritchard Old Folks Home, Tambunan Orphanage, Sabah Society for the Blind and Sabah Family Planning Association.

THE 2007 Excellent Women Organisation Award went to the Sabah Muslim Women Lawyers Association (Salwa) headed by Noor Azah Abd Rahman. It received a trophy, a cheque for RM2,500 and a certificate of appreciation. Since its inception in September 2001, the association has been active in enlightening Muslim women on their legal rights. "We voluntarily assist women who face problems in civil or Syariah cases by meeting them or through discussions in seminars or relevant publications in the mass media," she said.

Apart from its proposal on the codification of Syariah cases, Salwa has compiled a guidebook on questions and answers pertaining to Muslim Family Law. It also played a role in proposing amendments to the Islamic Family Law Enactment 2004.

According to Noor Azah, Salwa was involved too in the legal literacy programme organised by the Women and Family Development Council (MPWK), parliamentary constituencies throughout Aabah and Kesumba, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Other activities include a programme with RTM Sabah (Salwa in Rampai Suri Segment) and the Legal Aid Clinic at Masjid Nurul Hikmah Bukit Padang, KK.

Reported by DAILY EXPRESS on 11th September 2007

The Association also expressed its sadness over the tragic death of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin. According to Puan Noor Azah, losing a child of tender years is a tragedy by itself and the pain and suffering endured by the late Nurin was something that should never be repeated.  According to her, unless Nurin was raped, her case will be covered by Section 377 CA of the Penal Code which states that any person who has sexual connection with another person by introducing any object into the vagina or anus shall be punished with imprisonment up to twenty years and whipping.  However, as in this case, a death was caused, a murder charge should also be considered as any act which is done with the intention of causing bodily injury which is sufficient in the ordinary course of nature cause death can be classified as murder.

Puan Noor Azah also said that under Hukum Syarak, it is acknowledged that murder is considered a great sin and punishable with Qisas which means equality or equitable retaliation (for the murder already committed).  The treatment for the criminal should be the same as his horrible act that is his life should be taken just as he took the life of his fellowman.

In Surah Bani Israel Allah says “do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law”.  It is not merely the life of a grown up person, even the life of a child or even an unborn child must not be taken under any pretest whatsoever.  The crime of committing murder is so heinous that the criminal after getting his punishment still goes to hell and becomes an object of anger and curse of Allah.

In another Qur’anic verse, Allah says “we ordained therein for them :  Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal…” (Surah Al-Ma’idah :45)

On the proposal that parents of victims should be charged under the Child Act 2001, SALWA is of the view that this should only be in clear and obvious cases of negligent.  The better alternative would be to educate parents on their obligations under the said Act and to increase awareness between neighbours.

"?Women make half of the electorate, hence we are taking advantage of the current political climate to bring these issues to the fore again",? said Mary Lee, President of the Sabah Women Action Resource Group (SAWO), which is one of the 12 organisations in the committee, during a press conference Monday.
The other organisations are the Single Mothers? Association, West Coast South, Secretaries Association Sabah, Sabah Nurses Association (SANA), KK Chinese Women Association, Bahai Office for the Advancement of Women (BOAW), Sabah Girl Guides Association, Good Shepherd Sisters, Beaufort Chinese Women Association, Kudat Chinese Women Association, KK Hakka Association (Women Section) and Sabah Muslim Women Lawyers Association (SALWA).

?We are disappointed and frustrated that after more than a decade, women are still struggling with the same problems and issues that galvanised women?s groups throughout the country to launch the National Campaign against Violence Against Women (VAW) in 1987.

?We are grateful that the national leaders have made good their promises through enacting new laws, for example, the Domestic Violence Act 1994 and the Child Act 2001, or strengthening others, for example, amendments in 1989 to the Penal Code in relation to rape. Further, the Federal Government has ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1995.

?But we are disappointed that the initiatives were not followed up in the State. Women in Sabah have not benefited in terms of better protection, services and help in cases of both domestic violence and rape.

?As of today, no safe place or shelter has been set up for victims of domestic violence, and only one One-Stop Crisis Centre has been set up in the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In order to reach out and provide services to more women, these should be set up in all districts in the State,? she said.

According to Lee, the committee came about following a series of discussions, which began on May 1, 2003 on the position of women in Sabah in relation to the CEDAW Document, of which Malaysia is one of the signatories.

?By signing the document, our government is accountable to the international community to make changes to any policies or laws which discriminate, including violence against women. Various pertinent and crucial issues were raised, in particular, the suffering of women from violence, be it in the form of rape or in the privacy of their home.?

Lee, on behalf of the committee, expressed appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman for responding positively to a memorandum sent to him on July 21 this year. In the memorandum, the committee emphasised the need for urgent action on:

- The agencies and their roles in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act in Sabah which needs to be clearly defined;
- A coordinating committee to monitor this implementation of the Domestic Violence Act to be set up and to include the Department of Welfare Services, the Police, the Medical Department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that work with victims of family violence;
- The setting up of shelters and one-stop crisis centres throughout Sabah.

These services are lacking in Sabah, and women and children who are victims of rape suffer additional trauma because they are treated incompassionately, as they are made to go from one authority to another. As a heart-breaking example, one of our groups had a case of a child rape victim who was brought from one authority to another, carrying around her bloodstained underwear as evidence.

?Women live in fear for the safety of their children and for their lives in violent homes. Sabah has not set up shelters for women and children in such situations where they can have access to counseling and support while they struggle to put their lives in order.

Although the Domestic Violence Act 1994 and the UN Convention (CEDAW) which Malaysia has endorsed specify the requirement for shelters, Sabah has still not established any,? stressed the Committee, among others.

Reported by DAILY EXPRESS on 19th August 2003