KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will strengthen its commitment to improving its public service delivery through various initiatives and programmes in 2024.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the focus would emphasise on nine frameworks that touch on developing women, families and communities.
"This includes empowering caregiver competencies through training programmes to enhance the caregiver industry.
"Additionally, the development of a more focused module for care for persons with disabilities (PwD) to support the comprehensive development of their potential will be pursued.
"The MamaCare Postpartum Health Care programme will be strengthened, and Advocacy Awareness Care campaigns will be intensified," she said in a statement based on her address at the ministry's monthly assembly.
She said the Child Development Department will recruit officers who will optimise departmental operations, and improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability to ensure comprehensive and professional services for the well-being of children in the country.
"Furthermore, amendments to child-related acts and policies will be implemented to solidify the role of the department."
Nancy said the newly launched Intervention Interactive Workshop (MIBI 2.0) will act as a psychological and counselling intervention module for child cases under the Interactive Workshop Order, Child Act 2001.
"It covers four main constructs namely the Psychological Counseling Intervention Plan, Psychopedagogy (Family Retreat), Psychological Assessment, and Parenting Consultation. The implementation of this new version will have a positive impact on the development, recovery, and self-development of children and families.
"The implementation of this new version will have a positive impact on the development, recovery, and self-development of children and families."
Meanwhile, the Sexual Harassment Tribunal (TAGS) will operate fully this year with active enforcement of sexual harassment regulations, full enforcement of the Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Act 840), appointment of TAGS members, and the operation of the Tribunal office at Menara Aras Raya, Kuala Lumpur.
Efforts to empower women and mainstream gender through various community empowerment advocacy programs, social support, income generation, and creating a conducive environment to support the government's efforts to achieve 60 per cent female labour force participation and zero tolerance for violence against women (Assert) were also highlighted.
"In line with the desire to strengthen family institutions, the Kasih KPWKM Expedition programme will be implemented to expand the reach of ministry programs and initiatives nationwide.
"Additionally, various advocacy programmes will be implemented, including Kasih: Harmonious Family, Negara Madani, Expansion of the Anjung Sinar Project, and the operation of Local Social Support Centres Transit in Kuala Lumpur and Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.
"The ministry also commits to launching the National Social Policy 2024-2030 in the first quarter of this year.
"This policy, aligning 44 policies related to social instruments in 19 social portfolio ministries in the government, will be a comprehensive policy focusing on human development and the social system to achieve a resilient, progressive, responsible, caring, ethical, and self-identity society," she said.
Other frameworks given focus include empowering PwD and senior citizens, strengthening social work practices, enhancing legislation, acts, and policies, as well as digitising service delivery.
Moving towards digitalisation, existing systems and applications will be upgraded to meet current technological needs, including the Kasih Helpline 15999 System, the Elderly Registration and Mapping System (eWE), and the Sexual Crimes Against Children Offender Checking System (eDKK).