By Sulyn Chong
SHAH ALAM, Feb 11 — The state government has allocated grants to help build and improve shelter homes for women, said state executive councillor for women and family development Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.
“In 2021 the Menteri Besar (Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari) announced it (the grants) but it took some time for us to determine the criteria and so on. But we have approved all eligible applications.
“These shelters are built with the basis of housing those who have household constraints. Only one institution, the WOA (Women’s Aid Organisation) in Malaysia caters to domestic victims,” she said when met after the opening of the Forum Sembang Sihat (Health Forum) organised by Team Beauty with Brain of Akademi Kepimpinan Wanita (APK) Cohort Three under the Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) at Galabites Lounge, Radia Commercial Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, here today.
Dr Siti Mariah also said the state government has been encouraging workplaces to build more nurseries or kindergartens at workplaces to encourage and support working mothers.
“The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KWPKM) has been giving grants to those who want to set up nurseries at workplaces. We at the state level also encourage private caregivers to do so.
“However, many (private caregivers) have complained that the procedures to gain licences are complicated, thus, we will be speaking to local authorities and the relevant parties to standardise the procedures and fees,” she said.
Dr Siti Mariah added that the state government has been providing intensive childcare courses under Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas) to provide an understanding on the basics of childcare.
“We teach childcare providers the three basic points of safety, cleanliness and health. We have even offered grants in the past two years of about RM2,000 each to housewives in the B40 group who want to upgrade the facilities at home, such as buying baby cots, tiling bathrooms, laying non-slip mats and so on to become appropriate childcare centres.
“We see these housewives and women working at home while helping to provide childcare services as a state asset as they help other women to go to work with a peaceful heart,” she said.
Meanwhile, in regards to the upcoming 2023 Budget that will be presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on February 24, Dr Siti Mariah said she hopes the budget for the health sector will be increased and that there will be more incentives for women empowerment programmes.
“Due to the two important portfolios (public health and women and family development) I hold, I am hoping that the budget for the health sector would be increased so that health facilities and medical personnel’s well-being can be improved.
“As for women, I am hoping to see more empowerment programmes such as gender mainstreaming. Also, perhaps the (federal) government could look into pushing for some policies whereby women’s representation in politics does not only depend on elections,” she said.
