NEWLY appointed Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim aims to organise more programmes and activities to promote the gender-responsive and participatory budgeting (GRPB) approach.
She said this would help create awareness among Penang folk on its importance.
“We want everyone to understand GRPB and listen to their ideas and suggestions on how to make Penang a better state.
“Be it from installing street lamps to repainting high-rises and building a basketball court – all of these matter,” Lim told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Lim said she would also focus on efforts to create safe spaces for families, combat domestic violence and provide support for victims through various initiatives under the Penang Women’s Development Corporation.
“We want to emphasise more on the safe family policy through the ‘First Support Point’ initiative that was first launched in 2021.
“When a family is free from any form of domestic violence, it will be happier and eventually contribute to the state and country,” she said.
Lim said the state had 245 First Support Point officers stationed across 50 locations, including district and land offices and houses of worship.
“Various workshops have been conducted for officers and volunteers to explain more about the objective and to enhance their skills in handling cases of domestic violence,” she said.
Lim also said priority would be given to the education and welfare of underprivileged children in the state.
“We do not want to see them drop out of school due to poverty,” she said.
