KUCHING: Since its establishment on Sept 30, 2011, the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry (KWKPK) has made significant strides in its efforts to ensure that the wellbeing and welfare of all Sarawakians are well taken care of.
Over the decade, the ministry has successfully weathered challenges with the support of its dedicated workforce as well as the collaborative efforts of various agencies and strategic partners from the public and private sectors.
During its 10th anniversary celebration here on Wednesday (Oct 6), minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah highlighted the numerous achievements resulting from this concerted effort.
Preschool conventions for Sarawak early childhood care and education. Infographic: KWKPK slides 
KWKPK’s efforts and targets with regard to children’s early education and protection. Infographic: KWKPK slides
Children: Early childhood education and protection
KWKPK has organised annual preschool conventions for early childhood care and education to equip early childhood educators, providers, minders, and parents with the appropriate knowledge and skills.
To strengthen efforts in ensuring access, equity, and quality of early childhood education for all, the ministry also took over Sedidik Sdn Bhd on July 27 last year.
“Our target is to ensure that all Primary 1 pupils have the opportunity to attend early childhood education before they pursue primary education.”
On laws affecting children, she said the Second Schedule of the Adoption (Central Registry) Regulations, 1960 was amended on Jan 1 last year, whereby details of both biological and adoptive parents are included in the child’s adoption certificate.
“This move is made to resolve matters involving illegal adoption as well as to uphold the rights of the child to know their biological parents.”
As for the matter of citizenship status which is yet to be determined, she hoped that the process under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution could be expedited with the reactivation of the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution in April this year.
The empowerment of persons with disabilities. Infographic: KWKPK slides 
KWKPK established the One Stop Early Intervention Centre in Kuching, providing early diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation. Infographic: KWKPK slides 
Statistics on Community Rehabilitation Centres and medical therapists for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Infographic: KWKPK slides
Persons with disabilities (PWDs): Young to adulthood
KWKPK is now looking into the holistic wellbeing of persons with disabilities (PwDs).
“The ministry has developed intervention and rehabilitation programmes, facilities, education and skill training, talent development, welfare, and economic empowerment initiatives. We have carried out a workshop to come out with a roadmap to implement these initiatives.”
She said the ministry had established the One Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) in Kuching, providing early diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation.
She pointed out that the growing number of trainees with disabilities registered at OSEIC was indicative of the urgent need for such services, and that there was also a high level of awareness among parents on the importance of intervention from an early stage.
“As an extension to OSEIC, the construction of a Special Needs Community Centre (SNCC) to provide diagnosis facilities and early intervention; primary and secondary school education; skills training and workshops; as well as day care centre and residential care home services is much needed. In addition, 24/7 care services are important for PWDs without heirs.”
Fatimah added that Agape Centre was currently catering for the needs in the Central Region.
“We plan to have one OSEIC to cater for the needs of the Northern Region.
“We also hope to increase the existing number from 13 to 23 rehabilitation officers or therapists to serve at 55 PPDKs statewide.”
Statistics of those who have benefitted from the Welfare Micro Entrepreneurs programme and Skills and Career Training Development Programme. Infographic: KWKPK slides 
KWKPK supports the empowerment of women. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, last year the gender gap index in Malaysia was 0.709, whereas the gender gap index in Sarawak was 0.868. Infographic: KWKPK slides
Women: Welfare, equity, and empowerment
In efforts to empower women, KWKPK has offered entrepreneurship training programmes at Wisma Wanita Training Centre and five Sarawak Women and Family Department branches at the divisional level.
The ministry also provided assistance and grants for entrepreneurs so that they could increase their family’s income and be economically independent.
“21,016 have benefitted from the skills training since 2015 and 1,300 women entrepreneurs benefitted from the business grants.”
She said the Welfare Micro Entrepreneurs (UMK) programme for underprivileged families which was introduced in 2013 had benefitted 4,359 UMKs.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Fatimah said last year the gender gap index in Malaysia was 0.709, whereas the gender gap index in Sarawak was 0.868.
She explained that a score of 1.0 (100 per cent) signified full equality between women and men while a score of 0 indicated a very significant gap between both genders.
She said equality was exhibited in the education sector with a score of 1.069, but pointed out that there were still gaps in health and life (0.945), economic opportunities and participation (0.695), and political participation (0.037).
Family: Strong family bonds and economy
Fatimah said 2,074 couples and 5,319 individuals have benefitted from 86 series of family and parenting programmes since 2014.
Statistics on the Kenyalang Gold Card. Infographic: KWKPK slides 
Statistics on Senior Citizens Service Centres and Senior Citizens Activity Centres. Infographic: KWKPK slides
Senior citizens: Active participation and protection
She said from January last year and Sept 29 this year, 213,787 Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) applications had been received.
“As of Sept 30, we have 307 strategic partners throughout Sarawak.”
She said between January last year and Sept 29 this year, 4,172 heirs had benefitted from the Death Compassionate Assistance, one of the initiatives provided under the KGC.
She said senior citizens who lived alone and did not have relatives could be placed at two Rumah Seri Kenangan facilities — one each in Kuching and Sibu — to receive proper care and protection.
“The ministry has also established Senior Citizens Service Centres and Senior Citizens Activity Centres to provide them room and opportunities to interact and undergo a healthy, active, productive, and positive aging process.”
The poor and homeless: Temporary shelter and better living
As for the poor and homeless, Fatimah said KWKPK provided temporary shelter, financial aid, and options for better living.
“We have set up a safe haven for the homeless as a pioneer project located in Sibu.”
Community: A harmonious and orderly society
“To tackle problems associated with drug and substance abuse in a more integrated manner, the One Stop Committee on addressing drug and substance abuse was first established at the state level on Aug 14, 2018 and later followed by the divisional, district, and community levels.”
She said to address teenage pregnancy in an integrated and holistic manner, the One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee was set up in 2014 at the state level and later on at the divisional level.
“Last year, RM2.8 million was given to 205 NGOs to fund their social and welfare development programmes.”
Commemoration days for target groups
In line with the United Nations’ resolution to raise awareness on the rights and wellbeing of certain target groups, KWKPK follows the following dates to commemorate such groups:
• Women’s Day on March 8
• Day of Families on May 15
• Day for Older Persons on Oct 1
• Children’s Day on Nov 20
• Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec 3
