RM6.7 mln given to 12,375 single mothers as child support — Sharifah Hasidah
KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 12,375 women categorised as single mothers received more than RM6.7 million in child support from the state government this year.
Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali in revealing this said the government had no special programme to assist them and the assistance was given out through the Child Support Assistance (CSA) initiative.
“This is to encourage these women to be independent and be able to face any challenge despite their lack of income,” she said before launching the 4th Series of the Women Empowerment Programme at Samarahan Civic Centre here yesterday.
The government also hoped that by being independent, they would find ways to help themselves, their family and the community, she added.
On the programme, Sharifah Hasidah hoped that it would make more people understand issues and problems faced by women, especially single mothers.
The Semariang assemblywoman said up to March this year a total of 14,485 women had registered with Persatuan Ibu Tungal Sarawak ( Pitsa) or Single Mothers Association Sarawak and 700 women had registered with Kuching and Samarahan Carnation Association.
“As a caring society, we should help this group to be independent, brave to face the challenges of life and continue to contribute to the wellbeing of their family, race and the nation,” she said.
Women categorised as single mothers include those divorced, widows, not married but have adopted children and those acting as the family head as their husband is sick.
Present at the function was Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad.