National Women's Policy to empower young mothers
Bella Astillah (fourth from left) and Kasmirah (fourth from right) snap a memorable photo with Faridah (centre), Juliah (third right) and guests after receiving awards in the form of certificates, sashes and flower arrangements. Nancy is at third left.-Information Department photo
KOTA KINABALU (May 11): The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development has introduced the National Women's Policy 2025–2030 as a step to empower women, particularly young mothers facing various challenges in modern life.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the policy, themed 'Empowering Women, Strengthening the Nation,' focuses on improving women's well-being in various aspects, in line with the Malaysia MADANI agenda.
'Young mothers under 34 make up one-third of the country's female population and have great potential to contribute to national development. However, they need emotional, financial and career-family balance support,' she said at the 2025 national-level Mother's Day celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Sunday.
The event was graced by the wife of the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, and the wife of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datin Seri Panglima Juliah Salag.
Nancy said a Mother's Day survey found that nine out of 10 mothers admit that motherhood today is more challenging, especially in balancing work and family.
She highlighted initiatives under the new policy, including: PROKIT (Single Mother Care Program), IKIT (Single Mother Skills Incubator), MamaCare, Wanita Bangkit Program, Two Years Exit Programme, Gig@bit and Volvo Iron Women.
These initiatives provide single mothers and homemakers with training and job access for a better future.
For healthcare, the ministry, through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), offers parenting education, counseling, mental therapy, HPV DNA screening and mammogram subsidies.
This year's celebration, themed 'A Mother's Loving Touch,' featured activities like the Inspire & Empower Forum, Mother's Care Package, Women's Reproductive Cancer Screening (WCaRe), exhibitions and family activities.
In appreciation of mothers' sacrifices, the 2025 Inspirational Mother Award was given to Kasmirah Jaafar,
a seamstress from Bekok, Johor, but has spent over half of her life in Sabah.
The award recognises Kasmirah's struggles and sacrifices as a single mother raising five children who became teachers, doctors, and engineers.
The Young Mother Icon Award was introduced for the first time and awarded to celebrity Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah (Bella Astillah) as an inspiration to young mothers nationwide.
The award honours the 'Bella Spirit', recognising the young mother's resilience in using her talents to rise above a challenging past and raise her children with love and care.
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