KUCHING: Women should be positively fearless in moving forward and creating history in all fields.

In urging them on, Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah also reminded all Sarawakian women not to underestimate themselves.

She was speaking at a press conference yesterday on the preparation for the state-level Women’s Day celebration to be held on Sept 28 from 8am at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

“We want women to come forward and be bold to ‘Participate, Break Barriers and Create History’, the theme of this year’s Malaysia Women’s Day celebration,” she said.

“Do it, whatever you are good at. Be brave and have the strength to take on a journey despite all the challenges and difficulties you may face ahead,” she exclaimed.

Malaysia Women’s Day is celebrated on Aug 25 each year to honour and recognise women’s vital role in society.

In conjunction with that, Fatimah said numerous activities, large or small, would be held statewide.

“Some 3,000 women participants from the public and private sector, associations as well as organisations are expected at the event,” she said.

Among the highlights of the celebration, she said, will be forums, exhibition, presentation of awards, launching of a new book ‘Sarawak Women in Business…Their Stories’ as well as the symbolic presentation of a netbook by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to the chief minister.

‘The Woman That Inspires Me The Most’ forum will kick start the celebration at 8.30am,” she added.

She said the public will be given an opportunity to tweet their messages at #swkwomeninspire which will be broadcast live at the forum. “We have invited three men to head the panel this year, to give them the opportunities to voice their opinions.

“They are Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Special Functions) Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, Tourism Ministry permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and The Society for Kuching Urban Poor (SKUP) secretary Fabian Wong,” she said.

On the exhibition, she said 73 out of the 100 stalls prepared had been taken up.

On the exhibition, she said it will portray the timeline of women’s involvements and contributions in various domains, beginning with agriculture, manufacturing, services, telecommunications, research, education and information technology to becoming entrepreneurs.

Those interested to take part in the exhibition can still submit their proposals.

Six awards will be given out to women who have made a difference in shaping the development of women in the state.

They are Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib Award which is the highest accolade to be given out, the Chief Minister’s Woman Entrepreneur Award, Chief Minister’s Social Activist Award and Chief Minister’s Excellence Award for Women’s Organisation.

In addition, there will be the Special Achievement Award, which this year will be honouring people with disability in sports.

Last year, national diving queen Pandelela Rinong was bestowed the special award. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to officiate at the event.