NEW DELHI – Sarawak has been confirmed as the host of the South Asian International Women’s Assembly 2026, a major international gathering that will bring women leaders, policymakers and civil society representatives to Kuching from 8 to 10 September 2026. The event, known as SIWA2026, is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and place Sarawak firmly on the international map for women-centred dialogue and development.
The Assembly will bring together participants from South Asia and beyond to engage in open and meaningful discussions on leadership, resilience and cross-border impact. One of the key sessions planned is a special forum titled “Hard Truths and Shared Triumphs from the Diaspora’s Trailblazers”, which will feature honest conversations among South Asian women leaders from the global diaspora. The forum is expected to address issues of identity, challenges faced across borders and shared successes in leadership journeys.
SIWA2026 is also expected to attract strong participation from civil society. Around 110 Sarawak-based women’s non-governmental organisations are anticipated to be involved, alongside Sarawak Indian and South Asian NGOs and community partners connected through the Sarawak Indian Women Association’s collaborative networks. This broad participation reflects the inclusive nature of the Assembly and its focus on grassroots as well as policy-level engagement.
In preparation for the event, Sarawak Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, led an official delegation to New Delhi. She was accompanied by the Sarawak Indian Women Association, including its President, Penghulu Lucy Linggam. During the visit, the delegation held discussions with Professor Dr Veena Sikri, Founder and Trustee of the South Asian Women’s Network.
The discussions marked an important step towards strengthening strategic collaboration between the South Asian Women’s Network and the Sarawak Indian Women Association ahead of SIWA2026, which will be held at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching. Talks focused on programme development, technical cooperation and aligning strategic priorities to ensure the Assembly delivers meaningful outcomes at both regional and international levels.
During the New Delhi visit, Dato Sri Fatimah also paid a courtesy call on India’s Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi Yadav. The meeting provided an opportunity for both ministers to exchange views on women empowerment and child development initiatives, as well as explore potential areas of cooperation between Sarawak and India. Dato Sri Fatimah also extended a formal invitation to Annapurna Devi Yadav to attend SIWA2026 in Kuching.
Held under the theme “From the Himalayas to the Hornbills: The Global Ascent of South Asian Women Leaders”, SIWA2026 reflects Sarawak’s continued commitment to inclusive leadership, women empowerment and regional collaboration. The discussions in New Delhi further highlighted Sarawak’s growing role as a forward-looking partner in regional dialogue, while positioning Kuching as an emerging hub for international discourse on women’s leadership, social inclusion and sustainable development.
