Selangor Journal
Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud delivering a speech at the 2021 Hybrid Selangor Women’s Conference at the Selangor State Secretariat Building, in Shah Alam on April 24, 2021. — Picture by ASRI SAPFIE/SELANGORKINI

Exco proposes setting up single mothers’ clubs in every state constituency

By Sheeda Fathil

BANGI, March 25 — State executive councillor for women and family development Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud has proposed that single mothers’ clubs be established in every state constituency.

According to her, the establishment of the club can help prevent the group from feeling excluded.

She made the proposal after taking into account that the number of single mothers in the state had risen to 44,680 when the pandemic hit the country.

“Before the pandemic, the increase was at an average rate of around 8.3 per cent per year. I believe this was caused by the increase in divorce rates due to economic instability.

“Therefore, I suggest that all state representatives set up single mothers’ clubs in their areas to listen to the problems faced by this group and help find solutions,” she said.

She said this to the media at the Selangor State Women’s Council (Manis) 2022 engagement session themed “Fair Together: Facing Post-Pandemic” at the Bangi Resort Hotel here today.

Also present were the President of the National Council of Women’s Organizations Malaysia (NCWO) president Prof Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, and Wanita Berdaya Selangor chief executive officer Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki.

Dr Siti Mariah said Manis is part of the agenda to help identify issues and challenges faced by women, including single mothers so that they would not be left behind.

“Insya Allah (God willing), after Manis’ engagement session today, we will formulate or improve policies to help single mothers and maybe next year we will start this club in every state constituency.

“However, I hope we can help polish the skills of this group so that they could increase their income instead of (us) just providing financial assistance,” she said.

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