Women want bigger say in ABAC
By Noorlela Abdul Rahman & Jeani Goh

The Women Leaders Network has called for a bigger representation of women in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

The WLN cited as a reason the importance of recognising the value of the increased participation of women in SMEs in APEC economies, which showed that women helped add value to the economy at unprecedented rates.

The WLN recommended that APEC leaders should review the membership of ABAC so that women's participation would be increased and that each economy ensured that of its three ABAC members, at least one was a woman.

This recommendation was among the resolutions made by the WLN yesterday at a seminar at the International Convention Centre.

Among the prominent women who attended the meeting were Datin Paduka Hayati Pehin Hj Salleh, Nellie Dato Paduka Hj Sunny, Datin Hjh Edah Hj Md Noor and the members of WLN.

In addition, to build new partnerships across cultures and continents, there was a need to continue to develop and enhance the women's contributions to the economies, the WLN said.

The WLN made other recommendations to APEC Ministers, such as the following:

.Draw upon the Expert Data Base developed by the WLN to ensure the full participation of women in the APEC process.

.Implement training programmes, in particular distance learning, to assist women to access the most advanced training and skills development available.

.Ensure that all women and in particular, young women, indigenous women, rural women and women most at risk have equal access to education and opportunities for skills development.

.Formulate policies which encourage employers to develop more favourable working terms and conditions for women.

.Establish appropriate mechanisms and incentives to facilitate the development of women-owned SMEs and E-businesses.

.Develop incentives for private sector investment in women-owned SMEs.

.Improve access to finance women-owned SMEs and remove barriers to investment and finance which continue to exist.

.Identify best practice models with respect to access to technology, finance and training for women, and encourage implementation throughout the APEC economies.

In its statement, the WLN also stated that they supported People's Republic of China and Mexico as Chairs of 2001 and 2002 APEC Leaders Meetings, respectively, and in particular, China's commitment to continue the momentum and acceptance of the Women Leaders Network.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin