KUAKLA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced an allocation of RM1 million for setting up Tabung KASIH Rahmah (Rahmah KASIH Fund) to help women in vulnerable situations.
Anwar said, the fund was being set up under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
“The fund is set up to help women in vulnerable situations such as domestic abuse victims and those neglected by their spouses before getting aids and assistance from the Welfare Department,” he said.
The Tambun Member of Parliament said this in his speech in conjunction with the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the ministry here on Wednesday.
Present at the event was the minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
In his speech, the prime minister also stressed that government linked companies (GLCs) and government linked investment companies (GLICs) should give women greater roles and participation in the organisations.
He said, GLCs and GLIs should give priority to women who are qualified to fill new appointments and promotions.
However Anwar hopes to see the progress happens in GLCs and GLICs even though such changes could only be implemented gradually.
“Giving recognition to women is not enough. There are sexual harassment cases in the work places. Many women workers feel they have not been given the right recognition they deserve for their wisdom, capabilities and hard work equal to their male counterparts.
“We need to explore the new mindset by giving women a greater role in the organisations,” Anwar said as quoted by NST.
Anwar also cited the Securities Commission report that says the number of women holding board positions in the private sector stood at 29 per cent as of 31st Dec.2022.
Meanwhile more than 38 per cent women are holding grade C and above positions in the civil service.
At the event, Anwar had also announced an initial allocation of RM500, 000 to the Social Institute of Malaysia (ISM) under KPWKM to carry out research on development and empowerment of women in the country.
He said, the ISM was set up to promote professional and semi-professional training in the field of training and research, social education to all social workers from all levels from within and outside the country including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).-Malaysia World News
