The Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp stands as a testament to the power of collaboration among government, private sector, and civil society in fostering women’s leadership. During her keynote address at the SWOT Women Leadership Soirée Dinner, Deputy Minister of Women and Early Childhood Development Sarawak, YB Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus, emphasized that empowering women is not merely about fairness but is essential for driving economic and social development.
“Tonight is a celebration of collaboration,” she stated, representing the Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari. She highlighted the fast-paced evolution of the world, which presents new challenges requiring innovative and resilient leadership. “Women leaders are uniquely positioned to offer fresh perspectives that will help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future,” she added.
The opening of SWOT 2024 featured a poignant address by Dato’ Sri Hajah Rohani Abdul Karim, Advisor in the Premier Office, who noted the critical need for sustainable leadership. She referenced the Global Gender Gap Index, which ranks Malaysia at 103 out of 146 countries, underscoring the need for continuous improvement. “Through sustained government initiatives, corporate partnerships, and programs like SWOT, we are ensuring that women in Sarawak are equipped to lead in today’s evolving landscape,” she said.
Dato’ Hafsah Hasim, Chairperson of the Women Leadership Foundation (WLF), remarked on the bootcamp’s design to address contemporary challenges while preparing women leaders for future opportunities. “The complexities we face—whether in climate, economy, or social equality—demand leaders who navigate uncertainty with wisdom and innovation,” she stated. WLF’s mission is clear: to ensure women are not just participants but are empowered leaders shaping the future.
Ms. Ada Liew, Principal Consultant of Huawei Malaysia, shared insights into the strengths women bring to leadership, particularly their collaborative spirit. “Huawei is dedicated to championing gender equality, both within our organization and across the global ICT landscape. Our commitment is to provide tools and platforms that enable women to excel in leadership roles,” she affirmed.
This year’s bootcamp saw a remarkable increase in participation, with numbers rising from 29 in 2022 to 54 this year. The diverse group included representatives from government, government-linked companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting SWOT’s commitment to inclusivity and its role in shaping the future of women leaders across various sectors.
Themed “Empowerment for Sustainable Leadership: Navigating Tomorrow’s Challenges,” the four-day bootcamp featured keynote speeches from 30 distinguished women in both public and private sectors. They shared insights and personal stories designed to inspire participants to break barriers and become active contributors to the digital economy’s future.
As the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp continues to flourish, it highlights the collective effort to empower women, ensuring they are equipped to take on leadership roles that will drive progress in their communities and beyond.
Sarawak Women of Tomorrow Bootcamp (SWOT) 2024 participants after their one-day industry visit to the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), gaining hands on experience in emerging technologies.
Participants also took part in a one-day industry visit to the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), gaining hands-on experience in emerging technologies to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications of digital tools and innovations.
Beyond technical training, participants were also introduced to technology-enabled biodiversity conservation by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation during a visit to the Matang Wildlife Center, highlighting the power of technology in environmental stewardship and responsible leadership.
A transformative leadership programme, SWOT 2024 is aimed at fostering diversity, inclusion, and equality in support of the women leadership agenda in the country. This year’s programme provided comprehensive training in emerging technologies, business strategies, professional ethics, and corporate governance, while emphasising forward-thinking, inclusive, and responsible leadership skills.
Since October 2021, Huawei Malaysia and WLF have collaborated to develop female leadership through the Huawei ASEAN Academy, with a strong focus on sustainability tech. This partnership has provided over 1,000 hours of training to more than 2,000 individuals, with 34 per cent of participants advancing their careers, and at least 43 individuals moving into C-suite positions and board memberships.
