THE Women and Family Development Committee (WFDC), also known as the Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga, is set up in every constituency in Penang to bridge the gender gap.
Besides that, the committee is also tasked with coordinating programmes under the Women and Family Development portfolio to realise the Penang2030 vision.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the establishment of WFDC, the first in the country, would empower women at the grassroots level.
“We hope that the committee will be able to bring fruitful transformation towards women and family development.
“The motto ‘Penang Leads’ is not merely words. It reflects the state’s initiatives to help propel Penang forward.
“Recently on March 9, we have launched the Gender Inclusiveness Policy to enhance our support towards gender parity,” Chow said at the Community Aerobic-Exercise Programme at the Esplanade today. The programme was organised by the Padang Kota WFDC.
Chow said that Penang would be organising the first state-level Familiy Day this year, with a budget allocation of RM800,000.
“We planned to hold the state Family Day event annually as we realise the importance of family development,” he said.
Also present at the Community Aerobic-Exercise Programme was Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi.
This programme was held in conjunction with the International Women’s Day 2019 (IWD 2019), which is celebrated on March 8 globally.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alvie Cheng