If you give a woman a fish, she can feed her family for a day. Teach her to fish and she can feed her family for a year, but campaign with her for the rights to the river and her family will have fish for generations.
- African Proverb

HISTORY

Sabah Women’s Action-Resources Group (SAWO) was formed in 1985 by a group of women and men who were concerned about the increasing violence and injustice against women and children in our society. Working together with other women’s groups and NGOs around the country, known collectively as the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), SAWO first made an impact when it launched the national campaign against violence against women (VAW) in Sabah in September 1986 with a two-day public workshop-cum-exhibition. Since then, SAWO has continued to work and lobby for better protection and assistance for women and children.

The work of JAG has directly resulted in many statutory changes, including rape law reforms in 1989 and the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act in 1994. In advancing the needs of VAW survivors, SAWO initiated the first one stop crisis centre (OSCC) in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and continues to advocate for more shelters for women and children in crisis. SAWO set up the first phone-in helpline to provide emotional support to women and families facing gender-based violence, and have conducted many training and awareness raising programs in both rural and urban areas across the state. 

MISSION

Our mission is building capacity for individuals and groups for transformative change.
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​To achieve this, our programs are : 

SUPPORT SERVICES

Providing information, support and referrals

Advocacy

Focusing on women's
​political empowerment

CAPACITY BUILDING

Community education and awareness raising programs with schools, organisations and services

​Find out more about what we do.

SAWO EXCO MEMBERS

FROM LEFT:

Hon. Treasurer: Amy Marcus
President: Winnie Yee
Committee Member: Jollify Daniel

FROM LEFT:

​Asst. Hon Secretary: Christyne Surindai
Committee Member: Cathaline Tangau
Vice President: Dr Easwary Hari Ramulu
Hon. Secretary: Grazele Jenarun

2020 - 2021 TERM

President : Winnie Yee
Vice President : Dr. Easwary Hari Ramulu 
Hon. Secretary : Grazele Jenarun 
Asst. Hon. Secretary : Christyne Surindai 
Hon. Treasurer : Amy Marcus
Committee Member : Jollify Daniel
Committee Member : Cathaline Tangau

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How does SAWO operate?

The SAWO Executive Committee (EXCO) plays the main role to organize and supervise the day-to-day activities of the association and to decide on the general policy and broad concept direction of every event and programme in SAWO. Once the EXCO has decided on the short-term and long-term action plan, a workgroup would be formed to execute the action plan based on specific task (e.g., proposal writing, social media etc). 

SAWO’s work is divided into Service and the Advocacy programme, and supported by the Admin and Finance Team, headed by the Operations Officer, who supports the office and SAWO’s day to day operations and aided by the Financial Committee.
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The Service programme is divided into Helpline service and the food aid programme which case management and consultations are supported by the HELPLINE Advisory panel that involved a physician, registered counsellor, and social worker. The Advocacy programme, on the other hand, are divided into three main working group which include the political empowerment, sexual harassment and capacity building.