KOTA BHARU: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) urged more women to participate in programmes that can boost the economy and workforce through the various upskilling programmes offered through the 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, here yesterday.
Nancy earlier officially opened the ‘LaWa Negeri Cik Siti Wan Kembang’ in conjunction with the 2024 International Women’s Day Celebration, here today.
She said the engagement session, comprising 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 (RMK-12)
“LaWA also carries out programmes and activities by forming strategic colloborating with the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), Employees Provident Fund (KWSP), government agencies and non governmental organisations (NGO).
“Overall, the Department of Women’s Development currently 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 – in Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah – and throughout last year, 152 programmes were coordinated by the Kelantan Women’s Development office and was attended by the local community, singles mothers and housewives.
Among the programmes organised involved proficiency in the food industry like pastry, cookies, traditional cookies, creative sewing that can help improve the income of women. – BERNAMA
