KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly a million women in Malaysia bear the dual responsibility of being both the main caregiver and the sole provider for their families, according to Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said many of these women are also single mothers.
She said that only a fraction of them are registered with social support systems.
“The government cannot help these women effectively alone; community-driven empowerment initiatives are so important, such as those done by the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya,” she said during a speech at the Rotary International Districts 3300 and 3310 “Unite for Good” Conference 2026 here on Saturday (May 23).
One example she gave was the Club’s 13-year-long SuperMum programme, which complements her ministry’s Program Kasih Ibu Tunggal (KasihnITa), providing single mothers with the skills needed to sustain themselves and their families.
“We know that empowering women is about economics, restoring confidence, strengthening resilience and creating pathways for independence,” Nancy said.
She said her Ministry is planning to roll out a special skills development programme for female students in schools soon.
She said the programme was expected to begin later this year in collaboration with schools and the District Education Offices (PPD).
“The goal is to help young girls build their skillset and self-confidence early in their lives.
“This will also help them develop life skills, expanding their potential options in the future,” she said.
She also said that there is an increasing demand for disability-related support for children.
Nancy said her ministry is looking to expand support for families with autistic children by establishing autism centres in collaboration with NGOs.
Nancy added that the importance of public volunteerism must continue to grow. One such area in need of volunteers is the ministry's Home Help Services programme, which provides care for elderly or OKU people who live alone.
She said it currently has about 2,193 volunteers as of April 2026.
She added that the Ministry is also developing a “care economy” model to provide professional caregiving training to the ministry’s welfare personnel and interested volunteers.
