MIRI: Women across the country, particularly in Sarawak, are empowered by the Wanita Bangkit@KPWKM entrepreneurship programme from the federal Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM).
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the programme trained and assisted women, particularly those who have lost their income, are the primary breadwinners, or are single mothers, in starting a business so they could become economically independent.
The Santubong MP pointed out that the Wanita Bangkit@KPWKM had helped a total of 15,170 women operate their businesses.
She added that the figure comprised 200 local women who received guidance as a fundamental step in getting ready to start their own ventures in sectors including e-commerce, dropshipping and small businesses.
“The purpose of this programme is to assist women in overcoming obstacles and overcoming failure by earning revenue in the field of entrepreneurship.
“Through this initiative, women are given incentives to start monetising with few capital in the areas of e-commerce and small enterprises that are not covered by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, TEKUN, and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia’s scheme (AIM).
“By maximising each person’s potential based on their skills, this initiative also aims to empower the economies of target groups, particularly women, so that they are less dependent on government aid,” she said when officiating at the programme on Friday (Jan 27).
The programme is also implemented using a psycho-educational approach through the Local Social Support Centre (PSSS) to increase awareness and encourage the exploration of new knowledge through emotional support for women who are more prepared to start a new life due to divorce, physical or emotional abuse, increased cost of living, or loss of income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As such, Nancy called for the participants of the programme to be able to help other women, perhaps by providing job opportunities or through sharing knowledge with each other.
Also present were federal Health Deputy Minister cum Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development I (Women and Childhood Development) Datuk Rosey Yunus and Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang.
