PERANTIS sees rise in Dayak women pursuing leadership

KUCHING: The success of the PERANTIS PTS 062 initiative has witnessed a significant surge in Dayak women stepping up to hone their leadership and economic capabilities.

Federal Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this positive trend highlights growing engagement, noting that women’s participation in the leadership development platform has increased remarkably.

​She shared that earlier national-level intakes saw only two participants from Sarawak, whereas the latest cohort has grown to 15 women.

​”Under the Women’s Leadership and Dayak Grassroots Leaders Programme in Governance, Decision-Making, and Sustainable Development (PERANTIS PTS 062), this is a platform for nurturing decisive, independent, and forward-thinking female leaders.

​”Through this, they will be able to contribute to both community development and the state’s economy.

​”Moreover, it is designed to train, guide, and prepare more Dayak women to participate in leadership roles across all sectors, including politics.”

​She said this at the opening ceremony of the PERANTIS PTS 062 at Dayak Chamber Tower today (Sept 25).

​She emphasised that the programme is centered on empowering women to become independent role models who can generate income through their skills and build wealth for their families.

​Nancy added that the scope of empowerment is also evolving to target younger generations.

​”Beyond fostering leadership among women, the ministry is placing a renewed focus on economic empowerment for young girls, ensuring they develop actionable skills to become productive members of society.”

​Commending the resilience and unity among Dayak women, Nancy pointed out that multi-ethnic and multi-religious harmony provides a strong foundation for collaborative progress, citing the active involvement of various local organisations, including the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

​”In Sarawak, we see a unique drive where women leverage their legacy, culture, and skills not just for personal gain, but to uplift others.

​”Leadership requires vision, proper planning, and clear direction so that women can effectively step into decision-making roles.”

She encouraged women to maximise the opportunities provided by PERANTIS, reminding them that true leadership requires emotional intelligence, continuous learning, and strategic action to drive meaningful societal change.