THE Penang government has established the ‘Women and Family Development Committee’ (WFDC), a new initiative to empower women and enhance family development.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the committee would be set up in every state constituency (Kadun) in Penang from this month (January 2019).
“WFDC will be tasked to plan and implement programmes related to women and family development at their respective Kadun.
“These programmes are aimed at building knowledge and skills for women and family in various aspects; such as financial management, mental and physiological health, parenting, leadership and others.
“Each WFDC comprises 15 local women leaders. The chairperson and secretary will be given a monthly allowance of RM700 and RM600 respectively, while the treasurer and other committee members are given meeting allowances.
“Each WFDC is allocated RM10,000 per year to conduct women and family-centric development programmes,” Chow told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.
Chow said that the state government would have 600 women leaders to contribute towards the implementation of development programmes in Penang with the formation of WFDC in each of the 40 state constituencies.
Chow added that the allocation used to fund the committee was from the Penang 2030 Budget.
State Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng said the 15 candidates for the WFDC would be proposed by the respective state assemblymen.
“I will vet the proposals before they are approved by the executive council members.
“We will apply the 40: 40: 20 ratio (political parties, local NGO’s and individuals) when we select the candidates as the committee members. We want to have diversity in the committee.
“The WFDC will work closely with the assemblyman when running its programmes. The activities and programmes will be evaluated by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC). My office will oversee the entire process.
On a separate matter, Chow stressed the importance of gender inclusiveness, which served to reduce social inequalities in the state.
“The portfolio was established in line with the Penang 2030 vision.
“Our main objective is to archive gender equality by recognising the needs, preferences and interests of women, men, boys and girls from diverse backgrounds.
“It also ensures that policies, procedures and the enforcement of laws and regulations in Penang emphasise the importance of gender perspective.
“The gender inclusiveness policy works on institutionalising gender inclusiveness into state policies. The gender inclusiveness policy also aims at providing all staff with an equal opportunity to participate in administrative, management and decision-making roles at all levels.
“Finally, the gender inclusiveness policy enforces Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) practices in all aspects of governance,” Chow said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud