Rosey: Various initiatives to develop, enhance women’s role
MIRI: The state government has come up with various initiatives to develop and enhance women’s role in the society, as part of its efforts to further strengthen family institutions.
These initiatives are provided for women and mothers because they are the supporting pillars for their husbands who are the backbone of the family, according to the Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus.
“The department directly involved in these initiatives is the Department of Women and Family Development Sarawak. One of the initiatives I want to point out here is women empowerment.
“In a family institution, as we know, the father’s main role is to provide for the family and the mother is the one providing support to the father.
“So in order to build a strong family institution, we must strengthen or empower the mother,” she said during the ‘Inspirasi Belia’ talk at Pustaka Miri on Saturday night.
The talk entitled ‘Government’s Initiatives’ was organised by Persatuan Belia Miri in collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
One of the initiatives, added Rosey, was the RM2million allocation approved last year and this year to help enterprising women.
The Bekenu assemblywoman said in 2019, successful women who applied for this assistance stood to receive aid of RM5,000 known as the ‘starter kit’, but in the form of trading equipment or supplies.
“But when the pandemic hit, the RM5,000 amount was not relevant anymore because based on total allocation, it will only benefit a small number of women.
“So starting last year, from the RM2-million allocation, each successful applicant will receive cash assistance of RM2,000 which they can use to start trading, buy supplies or improve their business. This means that the allocation benefits 1,000 women,” she explained.
She added that once they received the financial assistance, the department involved will monitor their development closely to ensure that the allocation is used accordingly.
“There are actually many initiatives from the state government to help our women here, because our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is a very far-sighted person.
“These are from the ‘womb to tomb’ initiatives, that is why we need to give him our support so that he can continue providing these initiatives and assistance to Sarawakians,” stressed Rosey.
The womb-to-tomb initiatives, she said, were the RM450 Maternity Incentive for women after giving birth; Sarawak Endowment Fund (EFS) that provides RM1,000 for every Sarawakian newborn starting last year; Kenyalang Gold Card for senior citizens to enjoy special privileges, discounts or rebates; Kidney Patient Assistance which provides subsidy for related treatments; as well as the Death Compassionate Assistance for the next-of-kin of eligible cardholders to help cover funeral expenses.
“Those who want to know more about all these initiatives and assistance can head directly to the Department of Women and Family Development Sarawak or the Welfare Department, as well as visit their websites. All the information on these assistance are there,” said Rosey further.