Govt to roll out more initiatives to protect and empower women, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that more women empowerment and protection initiatives will be coming in the near future as part of the "Developing Malaysia Madani" concept.

Anwar first announced the immediate launch of the i-Sayang initiative would allow for the voluntary transfer of 2.0% of EPF contributions from a husband’s to his wife’s account monthly.

"This is part of the government's planned expansion of the social protection network to family institutions.

"This would also strengthen the sense of love and responsibility between husband and wife," he said during his speech at the International Women's Day celebrations at Dewan Perdana FELDA, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (March 8).

He followed by announcing the planned setup of a RM1mil women emergency assistance fund titled 'Tabung KASIH Rahmah Wanita' which would be used to help women caught in dire situations.

This would include victims of domestic violence and women who have been neglected by their family members.

He also stated his government would pursue the goal of elevating women to take on at least 30% of decision-making roles in government-linked companies (GLC), government-linked investment companies (GLIC) and Ministry of Finance Incorporated companies by 2025.

"I want to embrace change while of course we must still choose the most qualified but there must be some progress as we increase the role of women in the country," he said, adding that he hoped the private sector would follow his example.

Among the initiatives included new guidelines for the multi-phased implementation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Program which see the posting of anti-sexual harassment notices in the premises of every organisation across the country.

The notices, made by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, would be first posted in buildings across the public sector before eventually being posted in private sectors and community areas.

Anwar lastly mentioned that a further RM5mil under the ministry would be used for the data collection, research and promotion of future women empowerment programmes.

"Discrimination against women and the challenges they faced are still common even today which makes the newly allocated RM5mil funding all the more important," he said.

The International Women's Day celebrations saw the invitation and attendance of over 600 women and their families from across the country.

The celebrations saw attendees receiving a free lavish dinner courtesy of the ministry while also being able to tour the multiple women-help booths at the event.

Also attending the event was Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri who highlighted the accomplishments of various Malaysian women figures during her speech at the event.