KOTA BHARU, Feb 20 — The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) is urging more women to participate in programmes that can boost the economy and workforce through the various upskilling initiatives offered through Laman Wanita (Lawa), said its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said efforts to assist women to generate income for themselves and their family would automatically create job opportunities.
“This is in line with the Madani economic inspiration to raise female labour participation to 60 percent. Lawa is currently a one stop centre for activities within the community that offers various programmes and activities to empower women in aspects of upskilling and reskilling.
“It is also a platform to initiate a social network and information centre covering various issues related to women,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Earlier, Nancy officially opened the ‘Lawa Negeri Cik Siti Wan Kembang’ in conjunction with the 2024 International Women’s Day Celebration, here, yesterday.
She said the engagement session, comprising the participation of women in the public and private sectors, was aimed at identifying the direction in strengthening the support system to increase women’s participation in the workforce; improve awareness in streamlining gender equality to support economic development; and improve networking with various quarters in women empowerment through the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“Lawa also carries out programmes and activities by forming strategic collaborations with the Social Security Organisation, Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency, Employees Provident Fund, government agencies, and non governmental organisations.
“Currently, the Women’s Development Department has 14 Lawa in seven states, namely Penang, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Kelantan and Labuan,” she said.
She added that specifically in Kelantan, there are two Lawa — Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah — and throughout last year, 152 programmes were coordinated by the Kelantan Women’s Development office and attended by the local community, including singles mothers and housewives.
Among the programmes organised are proficiency in the food industry like pastry, cookies and traditional cookies, as well as creative sewing that can help improve the income of women.
— Bernama
