By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Oct 6 — In a progressive move, the Selangor government is formulating policies that will acknowledge the invaluable contribution of housewives, househusbands, and unpaid caregivers to the nation’s economy, said Anfaal Saari.
The state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare said the policies aim to support these individuals by integrating social enterprises and corporate partnerships.
She said the collaborative approach is designed to offer these individuals opportunities, enhancing their capabilities to better provide for their dependents.
“We’re not solely zoning in on the care economy aspect, but also assessing their contribution to the broader economy and gauging their value in terms of contribution to the national GDP (gross domestic product).
“By partnering with social enterprises and corporations, we can provide caregivers with income-generating opportunities while they continue to care for their dependents, such as their children or bedridden family members,” she told Selangor Journal.
Anfaal explained that this is part of the state government’s commitment to supporting the national endeavour of boosting female participation in the workforce.
She clarified that the state government has already established a support system for working mothers.
This includes providing subsidies for daycare and dispensing cash aid through the Selangor Sejahtera Living Assistance (Bingkas) programme.
Per the latest government data from May 2021, female participation in the national workforce stands at 55.5 per cent.
However, the Federal government has set a target of 59 per cent by 2025.
On the aforementioned policies, an upcoming convention, to be announced later this month, will shed further light on the specifics, said Anfaal.
Aligning with this vision, Anfaal recently revealed the state’s intent to synchronise policies with the First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
This strategic initiative aims to elevate Selangor’s Family Wellbeing Index (IKK) score to eight by 2025. The foundation of this index revolves around fortifying family institutions.
Referring to the 2019 IKK report, Selangor currently ranks 13th nationally out of 17 states and territories, with a score of 7.68.
The challenges faced by Selangor families are multifaceted, said Anfaal.
“Parents are overburdened with work, financial constraints, inadequate savings, and the ‘sandwich generation’ phenomenon, where individuals simultaneously support ageing parents and their children.”
