KPWKM Proposes Budget Increase, Focus On Target Groups & Fertility
KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is proposing an increase in allocation for next year to meet the needs of target groups and expand efforts to boost the country's fertility rate.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said the ministry's proposed budget focuses on economic equity, women, persons with disabilities (OKU), senior citizens and welfare aid recipients.
She said the ministry's budget is expected to increase due to a rise in the number of welfare recipients, besides taking into account the needs of programme implementation, construction and maintenance work.
She said this when met by the media after attending the launch of PERANTIS-PENDAYA 2.0: Empowering Dayak Women Entrepreneurs for Leadership, Scale and Sustainability, at Dayak Chamber Tower, here, on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Dato Sri Nancy said the ministry has also proposed fertility-related programmes under the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) to help boost the country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR).
She said Sarawak and Penang are among the states that need attention in efforts to increase the birth rate, including through programmes that help couples facing difficulties conceiving.
"Yes, there are indeed programmes under our LPPKN. The budget for that is placed under LPPKN, and there are indeed several programmes we want to carry out. Actually, we have already implemented it, but we want to focus on it next year so that we can encourage more people, especially among young people," she said.
She said the effort also takes into account the economic factors faced by young couples, and that this aspect would also be addressed by the government through the relevant ministry.
She said a study on fertility rates has also been conducted to identify factors influencing the birth rate, but the findings would be shared at an appropriate time.
Meanwhile, she said the budget allocation proposed by the ministry is still subject to approval, with the final amount depending on the government's decision.
Also present were President of the Women Empowerment and Sustainability Network Association (WESNA) Kuching, Dr Carolina Sandra Giang. -UKASnews
