(Kuching, 7th) Sarawak continues to deepen international cooperation on women's empowerment by engaging in strategic talks with the South Asian Women’s Network (SWAN) in New Delhi, India.
The delegation is led by Sarawak Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, accompanied by the Sarawak Indian Women’s Association (SIWA) and its chairperson, Penghulu Lucy Linggam.
Fatimah stated that this exchange marks significant progress in the strategic collaboration between SWAN and SIWA, serving as preparation for the upcoming "2026 South Asian International Women’s Convention" (SIWA2026), to be held at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching from September 8 to 10, 2026.
She pointed out that hosting SIWA2026 demonstrates Sarawak’s unwavering commitment to promoting women’s empowerment, inclusive leadership, and regional cooperation.
In a statement issued yesterday, she said: “This year's convention, themed ‘From the Himalayas to the Land of the Hornbill: The Global Rise of South Asian Women Leaders’, aims to create a high-level platform bringing together policymakers, scholars, civil society leaders, professionals, and diaspora representatives from Asia and around the world.”
She added that one of the key activities of SIWA2026 will be a forum titled "The Hard Truths and Shared Triumphs of Trailblazers from the Diaspora", where open dialogue will explore the challenges and experiences faced by global South Asian women leaders in leadership, resilience, identity, and cross-border impact.
She stated that the convention will also comprehensively and representatively gather civil society forces, and an estimated 110 women’s NGOs from Sarawak, Sarawak’s Indian community, and the South Asian region, as well as community partners participating through the SIWA cooperation network, are expected to attend.
On another note, SWAN founder and trustee Professor Dr Veena Sikri has invited Fatimah to attend a dialogue and consultation meeting as SIWA patron on January 6, 2026 in New Delhi.
The participation is regarded as an important step in advancing preliminary coordination, covering areas such as cooperation fields, project design, technical collaboration, and the overall strategic direction of SIWA2026.
The statement highlighted that this exchange further demonstrates Sarawak’s role as a constructive, forward-looking and trusted partner in promoting common goals such as regional dialogue, women’s empowerment, social inclusion and sustainable development. At the same time, it positions Kuching as a regional hub for international discussions on women’s leadership and cross-border cooperation.
The delegation is led by Sarawak Minister for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, accompanied by the Sarawak Indian Women’s Association (SIWA) and its chairperson, Penghulu Lucy Linggam.
She pointed out that hosting SIWA2026 demonstrates Sarawak’s unwavering commitment to promoting women’s empowerment, inclusive leadership, and regional cooperation.
In a statement issued yesterday, she said: “This year's convention, themed ‘From the Himalayas to the Land of the Hornbill: The Global Rise of South Asian Women Leaders’, aims to create a high-level platform bringing together policymakers, scholars, civil society leaders, professionals, and diaspora representatives from Asia and around the world.”
She added that one of the key activities of SIWA2026 will be a forum titled "The Hard Truths and Shared Triumphs of Trailblazers from the Diaspora", where open dialogue will explore the challenges and experiences faced by global South Asian women leaders in leadership, resilience, identity, and cross-border impact.
She stated that the convention will also comprehensively and representatively gather civil society forces, and an estimated 110 women’s NGOs from Sarawak, Sarawak’s Indian community, and the South Asian region, as well as community partners participating through the SIWA cooperation network, are expected to attend.
On another note, SWAN founder and trustee Professor Dr Veena Sikri has invited Fatimah to attend a dialogue and consultation meeting as SIWA patron on January 6, 2026 in New Delhi.
The participation is regarded as an important step in advancing preliminary coordination, covering areas such as cooperation fields, project design, technical collaboration, and the overall strategic direction of SIWA2026.
The statement highlighted that this exchange further demonstrates Sarawak’s role as a constructive, forward-looking and trusted partner in promoting common goals such as regional dialogue, women’s empowerment, social inclusion and sustainable development. At the same time, it positions Kuching as a regional hub for international discussions on women’s leadership and cross-border cooperation.