Latest news with #YayasanChowKit
The Star
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Female workforce target must go beyond numbers
Fairer future: Groups laud the government's move for a 60% female workforce participation target under the 13MP but state that inclusion and accountability are crucial. PETALING JAYA: The government's 60% female workforce participation target under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is a positive move, but it must be matched by deeper inclusion and accountability, says Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin. She stressed that participation alone is not enough if the structural inequalities facing marginalised groups remain unaddressed. 'It's not only about reaching 60%, it's also about who is part of that 60%, and under what conditions,' she said in an interview. Hartini welcomed efforts to expand childcare, upskill women and create supportive workplaces but warned that many are still left behind – including rural, Indigenous and stateless women, as well as those in the gig economy and informal sectors. She said that care work must also be recognised and supported through public investment, especially for women burdened with unpaid caregiving duties in underserved communities. Hartini, who is a child activist, urged the government to include women not just as beneficiaries but also as decision-makers. While the 56.5% participation rate in 2024 marks an improvement from 55.1% in 2020, Hartini questioned whether it is sufficient in a country where women make up nearly half the population. Engender Consultancy founder and principal consultant Omna-Sreeni Ong said the 60% female labour participation target under the 13MP required 'coherent, multipronged action' to speed up progress through an inter-agency action plan. Omna-Sreeni, who also co-chairs the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance, stressed that entrenched gender norms remain a key barrier. 'This won't materialise naturally. It needs strong political will to make it happen.' CnetG Asia managing partner Raj Kumar Paramanathan said female labour force participation must go beyond policy. 'Implementation must be consistent, measurable and incentivised, especially in rural areas.' He stressed that retaining women in the workforce requires public investment in childcare as infrastructure, not welfare. 'Childcare should be treated like education or transport – publicly funded, accessible and job-generating. 'This includes creating childcare centres near low-cost flats with trained staff, encouraging mothers to return to the job market, and creating jobs for unemployed graduates and locals.' Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the 13MP aims to raise female labour force participation to 60% by 2030, with measures such as expanded childcare, reskilling and gender-inclusive workplace initiatives. He said the five-year roadmap seeks to create a more inclusive workforce, especially for mothers and women returning to work.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Children's rights advocate pens picture book of hope and resilience
'I want to reach as wide an audience as possible, because a lot of the work that we do, especially with families, are really Malaysian children, Malaysian mothers, Malaysian people who, because they have a lack of support, actually leave their children in places they shouldn't,' says Hartini. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani A foundling is defined as 'a young child who is left by its parents and then found and cared for by someone else.' But in Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin's debut children's book, The Foundling, they are a symbol of hope, shining brightly in their own right. Hartini, widely and respectfully known as 'Tini', is a dedicated social advocate who has long championed the rights of marginalised and stateless children. Her commitment to this vulnerable population has earned her considerable respect within both local communities and the broader human rights sector. She co-founded Yayasan Chow Kit, a non-profit that supports at-risk children, and has adopted and raised eight children, many of them foundlings. Hartini's book is in English and Bahasa Malaysia to reach a wider audience. Photo: OyezBooks 'I have been working with children for many years, so I've seen how heartbreaking and difficult it is to not know who your parents are and to not have a family to belong to," says Hartini during a recent reading session to introduce her book at a cafe in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. In the book, the protagonist, a foundling, gets adopted by parents who love her. With their support, she faces all obstacles and stumbling blocks thrown her way with perseverance and determination, eventually reaching her dream of reaching the stars and becoming an astronaut. 'Foundlings don't have legal documents, so they're also not recognised as a citizen of any country. This means that they're unable to go to school or have access to health services,' she says. 'The Foundling' also features collage-inspired illustrations by Malaysian artist Ranerrim. Photo: OyezBooks 'I wrote the book out of frustration because of what's been happening to these children – they aren't just nameless faces to me, they are children that I know. I also wanted a happy story for foundlings, where they get to have a family of their own and the same opportunities as everybody else.' Facilitating discussions Published by OyezBooks, proceeds from the book's sale will go to Madhya's Gift, Yayasan Chow Kit's emergency and critical healthcare fund for children in need. 'Madhya's Gift is a new initiative we've set up that allows equitable access to health services for children to cut down on the mortality rates for children, especially those under five years old,' says Hartini. Hartini seen at a reading event in KL for her book, 'The Foundling'. Photo: OyezBooks 'Currently, for marginalised children, the mortality rate for children under five is about 600 deaths a year for the past nine years. These are recorded numbers. So we want to build a network and ecosystem to minimise this,' she explains. The book is written in English and Bahasa Malaysia and includes an explainer at the end that parents and educators can use to facilitate discussions with children about foundlings and the challenges they face. 'I want to reach as wide an audience as possible, because a lot of the work that we do, especially with families, are really Malaysian children, Malaysian mothers, Malaysian people who, because they have a lack of support, actually leave their children in places they shouldn't,' she says. 'The Foundling' includes information about foundlings in Malaysia and the challenges they face. Photo: OyezBooks The book features illustrations by Malaysian artist Ranerrim (currently based in London). She has exhibited widely in both Malaysia and internationally, most notably the Venice Biennale (fringe event) in Italy in 2022 and Documenta 15 (2022) in Kassel, Germany, alongside her art collective, Projek Rabak. Hartini says that while it took her about 30 years to write The Foundling, she's already in the process of completing her second book. 'It's another children's picture book, of course. It's basically about me – a naughty, playful girl – and my relationship with my mother. It should be released by the end of this year, so keep a lookout for it,' she concludes. The Foundling is available at the Duke Museum of Picture Book Art at GMBB, Kuala Lumpur and other good bookstores.
The Star
15-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Changing lives through education
Students' joy, gratitude make challenges in career worthwhile, say teachers PETALING JAYA: They are more than teachers – they are parents, protectors and givers of hope. Long after retirement and outside official classrooms, their passion for teaching endures. For these teachers, it's not about the money – the hugs, the smiles and the whispered 'I love yous' from children are the greatest rewards. These are educators who believe fervently that every child, regardless of background, deserves a chance to learn. Mary Stella Anthony Alphonse, 69, first stepped into a classroom in 1979 and officially retired in 2015. Yet every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, she teaches English and Mathematics to underprivileged children aged seven to 12 in Port Klang. She was first asked to help by a group of nurse-nuns back in 1992, and she has never stopped. 'We also provide food, transport and even basic life skills like cooking or dental care. 'Their eagerness to learn keeps me going,' she said. There have been hard times: She once faced the challenge of teaching a special-needs child in a mainstream classroom, at a time when awareness was lacking. But she remained steadfast. 'The beautiful moments outweigh the difficult ones. I love every minute and will continue as long as I can.' Sengkuttavan Manickam, 66, remembers well the day he started teaching: April 13, 1979. His fondest memories were from his early years in Kemaman. His headmaster had challenged him to produce one student who could get an A in English. When the results came, four of his students scored As. 'I still remember their names – Azman, Khairul Anwar, Rosdi and Zalina. They still keep in touch,' he said. He reminisced about dusty shirts and long walks to school in Kemaman whenever he missed the bus. Now retired, he teaches through the Gurukulum Seva, an initiative he and friends began as a means to reach underprivileged students. 'Some hug me before class. That alone is enough. It's been a full life and I love it. I stick to what my parents taught me – do good and good karma will follow.' He too has had his ugly moments. Once, a parent threatened to sue him for not appointing her child as a prefect. Tulasi Govindasamy, 75, was never a formal teacher but she has spent decades giving tuition and the last 13 years teaching refugee children in Bangsar. 'I'm a cancer survivor, and this keeps me going. Being around the kids makes me happy. 'When they say 'I love you teacher', I feel I must be doing something right and that they feel safe with me. That's enough to make me content,' she said. Hazdalila Zai Ibrahim, 38, was inspired to teach after watching To Sir, with Love, a movie that deals with social issues in schools. For the past 13 years, she has been doing exactly that at Yayasan Chow Kit, working with children who are underprivileged, stateless or part of migrant and refugee communities. 'Every morning, when they say 'Selamat pagi, Cikgu' with a smile – that's the moment I look forward to,' she said. These teachers, many of them unsung heroes, hold the key to the future success stories of their charges. And so, they deserve all the gratitude they get on Teachers Day.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao becomes brushstroke hero in young artist's charity drive
KUALA LUMPUR: National shuttler Leong Jun Hao's explosive court presence has been immortalised in art — all in the name of charity — thanks to a young and talented artist, Yap Ze Hern. The 14-year-old has created a striking artwork capturing Jun Hao's on-court intensity, which now features on T-shirts and other merchandise. All proceeds from the sales will go to Yayasan Chow Kit, a non-profit organisation supporting underprivileged children in the area. The collaborative artworks are part of Ze Hern's exhibition at GMBB Mall, running from May 10-12. World No. 26 Jun Hao, who attended a meet-and-greet session during the launch on Friday, said he was intrigued by the idea of combining sports and art for a good cause. "It's definitely something different. It's the first time I've worked with an artist, and I'm glad it's for a charitable cause," said Jun Hao. "Hopefully, there'll be more opportunities like this in the future where I can give back to society. "The art is pretty impressive — he clearly has talent. I've never really thought about art much, but when this opportunity came, I felt I should give it a shot, and it turned out to be a great project." Jun Hao revealed that Ze Hern first reached out to him via social media, and the two later met to develop the idea. "I get a lot of messages from fans, and Ze Hern was one of them. He and his family even came to support me during the Malaysia Open. That's when he brought up the idea. We had a few meetings to plan it out. "He's young but clearly talented. We thought a painting of me playing badminton could work, and later we decided it should be for charity. In the end, it became this exhibition. I'm really happy with how it turned out." "I'm not exactly artistic myself — just did a bit of doodling in school — but maybe after this, I'll try my hand at it again in my spare time." Meanwhile, Ze Hern was beaming with pride and relief after a successful launch, and thanked everyone who had supported him. "Half the work is done, so I feel really relieved and happy now. So many people came to support the event," said Ze Hern. "I'm extremely grateful and excited to have worked with someone at Jun Hao's level. I hope to collaborate with more athletes in the future. I believe we can benefit from each other. "It's really a surprise to be in this position at my age. I'm very thankful for everyone who made this possible, especially my family and my teachers who taught me how to draw."
