By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — Women’s organisations have praised the state government for its efforts to empower and protect women, citing the MamaKerja childcare incentive and Selangor Care Economy Action Framework as great examples of its commitment.
Speaking to Selangor Journal, both the All Women’s Action Society (Awam) and the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) described these initiatives as positive early steps demonstrating the state’s dedication to encouraging women’s participation in the workforce.
“It is commendable that the Selangor government is finally recognising care work, which is a women-dominated industry, and is taking measures to formalise the care economy by emphasising that society needs to stop free-riding on women’s unpaid and underpaid labour.
“Initiatives like MamaKerja and the proposed care economy enactment and action framework are indeed good starters and will benefit women within the state. However, there is a need to evaluate the sustainability of these initiatives in the long run,” said Awam’s information and communications officer Amanda Shweeta Louis.
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All Women’s Action Society (Awam) information and communications officer Amanda Shweeta Louis. — Picture by ALL WOMEN’S ACTION SOCIETY[/caption]
On October 26, Selangor launched the MamaKerja Incentive, providing RM1,000 in financial aid to 5,000 working mothers to subsidise childcare costs.
This initiative, aiming to boost women's workforce participation and acknowledge their crucial role in Selangor’s economic development, is the fourth of five 100-day election promises made by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin before the Selangor State Election on August 12.
Later on October 30, Amirudin announced plans to draft a specific enactment to empower the women-dominated care economy, noting the number of women today forced to leave their careers to care for their children and ageing family members.
On November 1, state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said the administration is set to roll out the Selangor Care Economy Action Framework 2024-2028 in April next year, the first of its kind in Malaysia and which will serve as a reference document for all stakeholders in the state on the care economy.
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State executive councillor for women's development Anfaal Saari (fifth from left) launching the MamaKerja childcare incentive at Mardhiyyah Hotel, Shah Alam, on October 26, 2023. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
A model for other states
Commending the collective effort by the state government, Louis said other states should take inspiration from these initiatives.
“Awam hopes to see other states within the country emulating similar initiatives. as well as taking a stance in recognising the significance of care work as a dignified profession,” she said.
Echoing this sentiment was WAO senior research officer Wani Hamzah, who views the five-year Care Economy Action Framework, in particular, as a valuable example which other states should take heed of.
“It can serve as a model for other regions, allowing them to create initiatives tailored to their needs.
“These initiatives (by Selangor) recognise and address the significant and often unrecognised burden of care work, especially childcare, predominantly shouldered by women and reinforced through societal norms,” she told Selangor Journal.
Wani added that while Selangor has taken steps in the right direction, it is important for the state to continue working towards making the initiatives more inclusive and ensuring they genuinely alleviate the burden of childcare and empower women without creating additional hurdles or exclusions.
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Refining MamaKerja
Among other proposals, she suggested the one-off RM1,000 financial aid under the MamaKerja Incentive be increased due to childcare’s high costs and a leading factor for why women stay out of the workforce.
Wani cited a report from the Khazanah Research Institute, which noted the considerably lower women's participation in the workforce.
The 2018 study found a staggering 2.9 million or 60.2 per cent of women in Malaysia stayed out of the labour force due to house chores or family responsibilities, compared with 81,000 or 3.6 per cent of men.
Other suggestions for MamaKerja include:
- Setting specific conditions like income thresholds, employment status, or other eligibility requirements to be eligible.
- Ensuring it reaches marginalised groups, including single mothers, female-headed households, and other economically disadvantaged individuals.
- Ensuring the eligibility requirements are reasonable and inclusive.
- Extending the initiative to non-Selangor mothers to recognise their contribution to the state’s economy.
- Re-evaluating the requirement of a minimum of three children to be qualified for the assistance, considering Selangor’s higher cost of living.
“It is important for policymakers and organisations involved to be open to feedback from women and to adapt the initiatives as needed, to make them more accessible and effective.
“While digitalisation has streamlined application processes, there is also a need to reach out to individuals in semi-urban, impoverished, and rural areas, who may have lower digital literacy.
“Dispatching field officers to these locations can bridge the gap and ensure eligible individuals in these communities can readily access the available support,” she said.
Meanwhile, Awam hopes for a long-term evaluation of both the MamaKerja Incentive and Selangor Care Economy Action Framework’s sustainability.
“Consistent monitoring and evaluation must be carried out to gather the effectiveness of the incentives, as well as to gauge how well they benefit the targeted community,” Louis said.
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Photo for illustration purposes only. — File Picture BERNAMA[/caption]
State budget wishlist
For the upcoming 2024 Selangor Budget, scheduled for tabling this Friday (November 10), both WAO and Awam have requested the state government prioritise ensuring childcare centres remain affordable and accessible to meet parents’ needs.
As an initial step, Wani said they could introduce subsidised childcare facilities in their respective government spaces or offices and subsequently encourage the private sector to adopt similar practices via policies.
“This will improve women's quality of life and work-life balance by not burdening them with the responsibility alone,” she said.
Wani also suggested the state, in collaboration with institutions like the Social Welfare Department, empower community-based social support networks through intensive training and funding to ensure reliable care for children and the elderly.
For Louis, ensuring affordable and reliable childcare services is pertinent to prevent cases of abuse and negligence in childcare centres. Similarly, stricter regulations are required to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
“Such regulations not only ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the young charges but also alleviate the anxiety and apprehension experienced by families regarding the safety of their children,” she said.
Louis also voiced Awam’s support for the state government's commitment to addressing period poverty but hopes this effort can be further expanded.
She also suggested the 2024 Selangor Budget increase funding for public infrastructure and services like healthcare and transportation and include childcare products in the government’s price control list.
“Necessities like baby products, food, disposable diapers, and milk have fluctuating prices, and their costs tend to take a heavy toll on parents. With subsidies, parents will have more disposable income to spend on childcare, thus providing better and higher-quality care for their children.
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