By Sofia Nasir
SUBANG JAYA, Nov 8 — The state government intends to review the development of women’s cooperatives in Selangor, in line with the Selangor Women’s Policy and Action Plan 2024-2026.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the concept of women’s cooperatives in group-based development aligns with the goal of uplifting the socioeconomic status of the group.
“To date, we do not have a specific plan, but with the available opportunities, it is in line with the Selangor women’s policy, one of whose objectives is to elevate the socioeconomic standing of women.
“The cooperative concept, which brings together groups, will help to uphold women’s dignity,” she said after officiating the closing ceremony of the 2024 Women’s Cooperative Symposium today.
The event at the Summit USJ Hotel was also attended by the National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia’s president Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah.
On May 31, the state government launched the Selangor Women’s Policy and Action Plan 2024-2026 with the theme ‘Progressive Women, Prosperous Selangor’.
This policy comprises five focuses and seven goals that cover every aspect of women’s development and enables them to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Abdul Fattah proposed that the cooperative movement be involved in the Asean Secretariat as one of the main secretariats, rather than solely under the agricultural sector.
He said this initiative could grant due recognition to cooperatives as a key sector in socioeconomic development.
“In Asean, there are over 300,000 cooperatives experiencing rapid growth, with 65 million individuals actively participating as cooperative members, and approximately 10 per cent of Asean’s population benefits from socioeconomic gains,” Abdul Fattah said.
In July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed the desire to make cooperatives one of the main agendas during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship next year.
