KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — The year 2021 has seen various initiatives introduced to enable women, persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens to get the same rights and opportunities to improve their living standards, after facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the initiatives is the Wanita Bangkit Berniaga (WBB), introduced by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), in collaboration with RichWorks International Sdn Bhd, which attracted nearly 40,000 entries.
Exceeding the original target of 2,000 entries, the initiative not only opened up opportunities for participants to increase income through business, but they were also able to become a group to extend help to other women who face life challenges.
The WBB is part of initiatives that focus not only on business but also to involve women who want employment and to get back on their feet emotionally.
For example, in addressing the issue of violence against women, advocacy assistance is provided through the Waja Squad programme, which provides social support to the community through the establishment of One-Stop Support Service Centres (PSSS).
As of November, a total of 164,264 individuals were given advocacy on violence against women; 91,601 people were given exposure to the advocacy of the Waja Squad; 22,186 individuals received advocacy through the De Stress Clinic and 11,161 people received advocacy through the Legal Clinic.
As part of efforts to help families affected by COVID-19, Free Helpline Family Care@ LPPKN (National Population and Family Development Board) has been established, with a total of 1,327 household cases having been resolved thus far.
The LPPKN counsellors who handle complaints are trained and registered with the Malaysian Board of Counsellors. They handle client cases according to established counselling ethics, and all information shared by clients is kept confidential.
Faced with the challenge of COVID-19, the welfare of the PwD community is also not neglected as they continue to benefit from the 2021 Budget, including the increase of monthly allowance for unemployed PwD from RM250 to RM300 and employed PwD from RM400 to RM450.
To improve service delivery to the disabled, a registration system for the PwD community, known as MyDaftar OKU, was launched in October, to enable the government to carefully plan and formulate policies for the needs of the disabled, based on accurate and comprehensive data.
As of Nov 30, it was reported that a total of 587,608 disabled individuals were registered under the Social Welfare Department (JKM), and the ministry is working to get more from the group to register with JKM.
The MyDaftar OKU initiative makes it easier for the group to register without filling in forms manually; confirming the disability by a specialist, officer or medical practitioner online.
To ensure that the disabled have the same rights to receive the latest information, the provision of sign language interpreter services in the delivery of news on all television networks, including in the private sector, is being actively pursued this year.
The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) has been tasked to train sign language experts.
Previously, sign language interpreters were only provided by certain television stations, especially RTM.
Meanwhile, various integrated efforts were also enhanced this year to look after, protect and support the elderly to become healthy, active and productive members of society, including the provision of Senior Citizens Assistance.
Through the assistance, senior citizens receive RM500 cash a month for those who meet the criteria; verified as senior citizens who live alone and are unable to work to support themselves.
It was reported that KPWKM has channelled Senior Citizens Assistance amounting to RM559 million in the first eight months of this year, involving 138,000 recipients.
To protect the rights of senior citizens, the government also conducted a study on the Senior Citizens Bill, which was completed on Oct 1.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, was previously reported to have said that the bill was scheduled to be tabled in Parliament next year.
In preparation for ageing nation status in 2030, KPWKM aims to establish a Senior Citizens’ Activity Centre (Pawe) in every Parliamentary constituency nationwide, and as of August, a total of 49,675 senior citizens have registered with 143 Pawe.
