SEGi hosted a transformative talk on 8 March 2024, featuring the esteemed Datu Dr Sabariah Putit. Organised by the Rotaract Club of SEGi and the Student Affairs Office, the event exemplified the institution’s dedication to fostering gender equality, aligning seamlessly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5.
The session commenced with a riveting exploration of the multifaceted concept of gender equality, led by Datu Dr Sabariah Putit. With eloquence and insight, she underscored its significance not just as a fundamental human right but as a cornerstone for global peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
Drawing from statistics released by the United Nations under SDG 5, Datu Dr Sabariah shed light on the stark realities of gender inequality persisting worldwide. Shocking revelations included the global wage gap, where women continue to earn 23 percent less than their male counterparts, and the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work carried by women.
Equally alarming were the projected timelines for achieving key milestones in gender equality. Estimates indicating it would take 300 years to eradicate child marriage and 140 years for equal representation of women in positions of power served as stark reminders of the urgent need for collective action.
Datu Dr Sabariah passionately advocated for the inclusion of women in leadership roles, highlighting its strategic importance for holistic progress. Encouragingly, recent statistics reflect a positive trend towards increased female representation in professional and leadership positions in Sarawak State, signaling progress towards gender equality.
The talk ignited a sense of empowerment and responsibility among the diverse audience of students and staff at SEGi, inspiring reflection and action. It conveyed a powerful message: our collective actions, irrespective of gender, shape the future.
As SEGi commemorates International Women’s Day, the event serves as a poignant reminder that breaking barriers begins with conversations. Armed with newfound insights, let us collectively strive towards a world where the empowerment of women and girls is not just an aspiration but a lived reality, every day.
