KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The government will roll out skills development programmes for schoolgirls nationwide this year to strengthen economic empowerment among young women.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiative aims to equip girls with practical skills before they finish school, which would allow them to achieve financial independence.
She said the programme is part of broader efforts to address social issues by empowering women and to help more women be financially independent.
“Before they become women, they are just girls. That is why we are going to schools to provide them with skills programmes.
“They can test their skills, and in the future, they can sell their products and generate income,” she told reporters after the Rotary District Conference in Bangsar here today.
Nancy said the programme would be implemented with the District Education Offices (PPDs) nationwide, especially after major school exams, subject to approval and coordination with schools.
“We have targeted schools for this initiative, but it depends on the ministries involved, as we need to work with PPDs in each area.
“If approved, we can take students for two to three days after exams to build their skills so they are not only strong academically, but also equipped with practical skills for their future,” she said.
She added that the ministry is actively seeking to expand collaboration with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including Rotary International, to address social issues and improve community welfare.
Nancy said the ministry is exploring ways to expand volunteer participation, particularly in assisting welfare recipients who are homebound and require support, such as transport to hospitals and basic daily needs.
“We have the Home Help Service, where volunteers receive a small allowance. They are dedicated individuals who help support those who are homebound, and we are strengthening this programme further,” she said.
In her speech earlier, Nancy said recent national records show that Malaysia has nearly one million single women as heads of households, many of whom shoulder the “double burden” of being both primary caregivers and sole breadwinners.
She said that despite this, only a fraction are formally registered with support systems, leaving many to struggle unsupported, including mothers caring for children with autism.
Nancy said the ministry complements these efforts with its KasihniTA programme, designed to empower single mothers with financial literacy, psychosocial support and legal skills.
“In 2025 alone, nearly 1,900 single mothers participated across six zones nationwide, and 90 legal aid cases were successfully handled to help women defend their rights,” she said.
Meanwhile, she noted that the Social Welfare Department (JKM) continues to see rising demand for psychosocial support, child protection interventions, elderly care, and disability aid.
Nancy said the ministry currently supports over 839,535 people with disabilities nationwide, with autism identified as one of the fastest-growing developmental conditions among children.
