NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 149 TOPIK: WOMEN AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISU UTAMA: WOMAN AGROPRENEURSHIP – MODERN FARMING (HYDROPONIC), FERTIGATION & TECHNOLOGY for urban & rural women of B40 / M40; school leavers/graduates; Single Mothers and retrenched workers. Background on issue: Women have fewer entrepreneurial skills and face more constraints than men, thus making them more likely to face greater challenges in opening or sustaining businesses. Majority of Malaysian women entrepreneurs are drawn to entrepreneurship by ‘pull factors’ such as the need for independence, challenge, to be recognised by the society and the urge to try to do something on their own (Ref: Ismail, H.C. Shamsudin, F.M. and Chowdhury, M.S. An exploratory study of motivational factors on women entrepreneurship venturing in Malaysia. Business and Economic Research 2(1): 1 – 13). A more recent study in Malaysia found that lack of managerial skills, financial constraints, and shortage of labour and skilled human resources are among the challenges faced by rural women agropreneurs (Ref: Nik Rozana, Empowerment of women in the agriculture community through women development programs. FFTC Agricultural Policy Platform). Problem Statement: 1) Lack of knowledge on Agriculture Plantation, right methodology, technology and commercialization 2) Lack of knowledge on securing financial assistance/to sustain Agriculture business 3) Lack of Women Mentor in Agriculture industry CADANGAN Allocate RM750500 to align to the 12MP Integrated Outcome Framework with Vision for Shared Prosperity (WKB - Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama) and SDGs focused on Pillar 2: Green Growth and Pillar 3: Growth Enablers (Pemboleh Pertumbuhan). The proposed solution shall assist 500 woman: • Reduce gaps between income groups, ethnicities, regional development and supply chain. • Allow woman to start a business in agriculture with low investment. • Allow woman to generate passive income every day start from home. • Provide women knowledge/information on Agriculture Plantation, right methodology, technology and commercialization - hydroponic crops and hydroculture. • Assist woman to securing financial assistance to sustain Agriculture business
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 150 • Allow current Women Agri-Mentor to guide the new Agri-business women and further prepare them to be a Mentor in Agriculture industry. • Provide woman a business opportunity by providing spaces to make money. • Apply management skills in the field of agribusiness and as a successful agropreneur despite not having a degree in agriculture. • Able to develop hydroponic cropping methods and hydroculture to the general public and commercialization. • Provide opportunities for trained woman to own their own business opportunities without having to take high risks to start a business. Collaboration: Collaboration with Agro Bank, TEKUN, FAMA, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Women Family & Community Development, Ministry of Rural Development, relevant Service Providers, NCWO affiliates. Budget breakdown TRAINER FEE: RM3,000 PER BATCH (3 DAYS) X 25 BATCHES (20 PARTICIPANTS EACH BATCH) = RM75,000.00 (TRAINERS FEES PER DAY IS RM 1,000.00) VENUE RENTAL: RM 300 (PER DAY) X 75 DAYS = RM 22,500.00 FOOD & BEVERAGE: RM30 PER PAX X 500 PAX X 3 DAYS = RM 45,000.00 TRAINING MATERIALS: A) ADMINISTRATION, HANDOUT, CERTIFICATE, ETC RM200 X 500 PAX : RM100,000 B) CONSUMABLES RM600 X 25 GROUPS (20 PAX EACH) = RM15,000.00 C) TOOLS KIT FOR STARTUP BUSINESS: RM500 X 500 = 250,000.00 ALLOWANCE FOR PARTICIPANT RM100 (FOR 3 DAYS) X 500 PAX = RM50,000 MENTORING (3 months): RM500 X 500 PAX = RM250,000.00 JENIS CADANGAN: bukan cukai
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 151 5.2 BUDGET MEMORANDUM 2023 NCWO Recommendations for Budget 2023 Budget Dialogue 8.30-10.30 am, 20 January 2023 Kementerian Kewangan INCREASING THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE THROUGH THE GROWTH OF THE CARE ECONOMY IN MALAYSIA MADANI ISSUES The female labour participation rate is 55.6% in May 2022 and is far from the target of 59% by 2025. Household chores, caring for children, the infirmed and the elderly, which take up 78% of their working hours (about 31 hours per week), are the main reasons keeping women out of the workforce. The Government has introduced many care initiatives such as maternity and paternity leaves, flexitime, telework, career come back, work from home, and services such as child care, to encourage women to enter and remain in the workforce. The initiatives have given women greater employment opportunities but have not improved the labour force participation rate very much. A higher participation of women in the workforce, a higher GDP and income per capita can be realised if the unpaid caring duties can be reduced by redistributing them among people who can do them for a wage in the care industry. The care industry exists in Malaysia but it is not recognised formally and price of the services offered, such as nursing for the elderly and the bedridden, care of special needs people such as autism and even early childhood care and education are exorbitant. The services offered may not be well regulated, especially with regards to the quality and standard of training of the care-givers, safety and ethics. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is becoming less accessible to vulnerable groups who have to balance work and family responsibilities. Quality ECEC is a must because the brain is developing at the fastest rate at this age and thus lays the cognitive, language and emotional foundation for
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 152 better success in the future. Every child is precious and all must benefit from good ECEC. The demand for care services is increasing as the number of elderly in our society is also increasing. The aging population results in higher social security and welfare expenditure against GDP, raising concerns as to the sustainability of the social security and welfare systems. Aging is compounded by low fertility rates and internal and external migration of younger generations seeking employment, raising questions as to who will be taking care of the elderly when they require long-term care. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing movement restrictions have also highlighted the unpreparedness of the social infrastructure to deal with the psychological distress, anxiety and conflict (including domestic abuse and violence) amongst the population who are subjected to stressors such as social isolation and loss of livelihoods as well as the mental health and psychosocial needs of workers who have to endure long hours of work during the pandemic. The impact is worse for women. Mental health has to be an important part of the care services. Evidence-based practices in other countries (Colombia, 2020) have revealed that the care economy would equal about 20% of the GDP, surpassing the financial and agricultural sectors in gross product ranking. The ILO Report on “Care at Work: Investing in care leave and services for a more gender equal world of work ” launched in Indonesia on 25 November 2022, highlighted the crucial need to balance a job with care that is essential for societies and economies to thrive, to alleviate poverty, encourage gender equality and support care for children and the elderly. The report also states that the care economy is growing as the demand for childcare and care for the elderly is increasing in all regions, creating a great number of jobs in the coming years. Paid care work is an important source of employment, especially for women. The care workforce represents more than 8 per cent of total employment. However, care work across the world is void of benefits and protections, low wages or non-compensation, and exposure to physical, mental and, in some cases, sexual harm. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUDGET 2023 For budget 2023, NCWO urges the government to allocate money to develop a better and more comprehensive, transformative and cross-cutting sustainable plan of action for a care economy in line with the budget aspiration of “Membangun Malaysia Madani”. It also has the potential to generate export revenue if the services provided (example care of the elderly) are of excellent standards. Among others the plan encompasses the following:
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 153 1. A policy that recognises and promotes domestic work as a productive industry where paid jobs are created, with the rallying call to take care of other people (masyarakat madani). The policy is not about paying homemakers but about reducing and distributing the unpaid care work among people who can do it for a wage. Formalisation of the care industry and accelerating its growth will induce competition that can bring prices down and make the services accessible and available to every social sector. A mixed market approach should be adopted where the Government is responsible for the care needs of the most vulnerable while the market should supply the remaining sectors who have the purchasing power. 2. Establishing or strengthening intersectoral governance mechanism and arrangements to coordinate existing and new initiatives for accelerating the growth of the care industry. It should promote social dialogue and collaborative consultation process among various sectoral bodies in government, private enterprises, trade unions, employers association, NGOs & civil society, academicians, community groups and so on. For example, early childhood education and care involve KPWKM, MOE, KPT, JPNIN, KEMAS, private providers and NGOs. 3. Providing incentives for social entrepreneurship as an important driver for social and economic opportunities, especially for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the care industry. The enterprises should not be limited to child, elderly and informed care but also include services that ease household chores such as cooking and grocery shopping. Examples include farm-to-table food supply, eateries and warongs that cater to food away from home (10% of food expenditure) for the lower income group. Incentives should also cover use of technology, digital transformation in the care economy, and skills harnessing technology-driven innovation, reskilling and upskilling employability in the context of the care industry of the present and future generations 4. Helping educational institutions to train care-givers in all areas of care giving, such as teachers and carers of ECEC, children with special needs such as autism, play and art therapists, social work, counsellors, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, geriatric nursing and care and so on. In fact some jobs, especially those related to digital technology, may not even be created yet. In addition efforts must be taken to initiate professionalisation of social work by passing the Social Work Bill and providing support to care givers by establishing the ethical code of conduct and conducting quality assurance of care services. 5. Helping NGOs and local authorities to prepare for the challenges of institutional care, community-based care, smart homes and cities. Attention should be given to the promotion of healthy and active ageing
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 154 amongst pre-seniors and seniors to help them maximise their functional ability in socio-economic development and continue living independently for as long as possible to prevent or delay care dependency, which would alleviate the burden on governments and families to provide care. 6. Collaborating and continuing to promote a positive workplace culture across the board by strengthening care initiatives such as flexible work arrangements, employee support systems, paid leave schemes, affordable child care facilities, maternity protection, zero sexual harassment and abuse and gender inclusive policies in line with the requirements and principles of relevant international labour standards (ILO) as the benchmark. Greater attention is given to the most frequently excluded workers, such as the self-employed, workers in the informal economy who are mainly women, migrants, and adoptive parents. 7. Developing or reviewing national social protection systems funded by social insurance or public funds to include self-employed workers and adoptive parents who are yet to benefit from these services. Care services should be incorporated into the social security system. For example insurance cover for children with congenital abnormalities who need medical treatment should be mandatory. 8. Collection of statistics and information on domestic care responsibilities and calculating the potential revenue and impact on the GDP. The inclusion of domestic work in the national accounting system is also an essential step to remove the sexist bias that views women as housekeepers and to close the gender gap. The formalisation of the care economy will be a historic reparation of the labour done by women. CONCLUSION The development of the care economy accompanied by exemplary care policies, highly skilled talents as care givers, incentives for social entrepreneurs particularly SMEs, appropriate use of technology and facilitatory regulatory environment will alleviate societal inequalities, improve the quality of life and inclusion of the community, and strengthen communities’ involvement in economic and development activities towards a more sustainable development with no one left behind. The investment benefits in a transformative care policy package will generate jobs (eg in childcare and long-term care services), improve women’s employment rate and reduce the gender gap in monthly wages.
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 155 6.0 - ASEAN CONFEDERATION OF WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS (ACWO) 6.1 About ACWO • History of ACWO On November 20th, 1981, ACWO was formally established at a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting was held in conjunction with the reactivation of the ASEAN Women’s Programme (AWP), the ASEAN Governments’ grouping charged with the responsibility of women in development programmes. ACWO is an institutional framework established to bring together women’s voluntary organisations in the ASEAN region to work in concerted efforts towards the full integration of women in development. ACWO comprises the National Council of Women’s Organisations in each ASEAN member country. It is the regional forum for ASEAN women to exchange views / problems, and experiences, to assist in the implementation of strategies and programmes adopted by the ASEAN governments, for the enhancement of women’s participation in both national and regional progress. The First ACWO General Assembly was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 21st, 1984, jointly with the 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN Women’s Programme. From its inception, ACWO has had close ties and working relations with AWP (now the ACW – ASEAN committee on Women), the ASEAN Government’s Committee on Social Development. It holds affiliated status as the Non-Government Organisation recognised by the ASEAN Standing Committee and is accredited to the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC). Since 1995, ACWO also joined the ECOSOC which provides it with category II status in the UN system. This also enables ACWO to participate in important UN discussions relating to women such as Commission on the Status of Women, Convention on the Elimination of (all forms of) Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), etc.
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 156 • Vision ACWO envisions an ASEAN Community having strong networks of women’s organisations with varying cultural, religious, traditional and historical contexts that distinguish the ASEAN region; cooperating together in friendship, sincerity, harmony, mutual respect and trust; contributing meaningfully to gender equality, the advancement of ASEAN societies and the regional integration process • Mission 1. To coordinate and act as a confederation for national women organizations of the ASEAN member countries in order • To secure all such reforms as are necessary to give full meaning to equality in human rights, status and opportunities • To urge the women of the ASEAN’s member countries to realize and accept their responsibilities in the exercise of their rights and influence in public and private life to ensure respect for human dignity without distinction as to sex, race, creed or status • To promote co-operation, peace and understanding, and increase mutual support among women through international contacts • To participate and cooperate in constructive efforts for national and regional development 2. To serve and act as a resource center for the gathering and disemination of information, news and other materials relevant to the objectives of the ACWO 3. To carry out studies, research and training programmes relating to women, children and the family in the ASEAN region 4. To provide a forum for exchange and discussion on issues relating to the advancement of women in all fields and the welfare of the ASEAN region especially where it relates to women, children and the family 5. To strengthen co-operation with the UN and other related international and regional organizations and agencies.
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 157 ❖ 20th ACWO Board of Directors (2020-2022) Board of Directors Member State Name President CWBD (Brunei Darussalam) Datin Hajah Siti Hajah bt Md Yusuf Vice President NCWP (Philippines) Ms. Teresita T. Gonzalez Secretary VWU (Vietnam) Ms Ha Thi Nga Treasurer KOWANI (Indonesia) Dr Ir. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo, M.Pd First Director NCWO (Malaysia) Prof Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin Second Director NCWT (Thailand) Dr Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern//Ms Sukanya Prachuabmoh (October 2022) Third Director CWPD (Cambodia) H.E. Kloth Tong Phka Fourth Director LWU (Lao PDR) Dr Inlavanh Keobounphan Fifth Director MWAF (Myanmar) Dr Thet Thet Zin Sixth Director SCWO (Singapore) Ms Junie Foo 6.2 ACWO’s Activities 2021 - 2022 Throughout the year 2021 to 2022, there is no ACWO Board of Directors Meetings and Conferences/Activities in host country Brunei. Nevertheless there are some participation of ACWO members in several ASEAN and Regional Conferences as listed below.
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 158 ACWO Participation in ASEAN and Regional Conferences 2021-2022 No. Conferences/meetings Date Attendance 1. Proposal ACWO- ILC/TSAO Foundation SG to collaborate jointly on the topic 'Regional Advocacy on Gender and Ageing'. March to April 2021 NCWO, NCWP and CWBD Members, agreed to participate in this proposed initiative, but need to identify a specific area/project we would like to contribute to the success of this initiative 2. Training course on Gender Equality Training designed to address the limited ageing and gender-related training in the region. From 29 April – 17 June 2021, every Thursday, from 3:00-5:00 PM (SG Time/GMT+8). Few ACWO members joined the training 3.. ACWO proposed to hold a webinar on Gender and Ageing , in collaboration with International Longevity in June 2021 To propose a date Seek approval from ACWO ❖ Pandemic sets in 4. “Women and the Environment: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”, jointly convened by the French Embassy to Indonesia, the Institut Français Indonesia, and the ASEAN Secretariat, to commemorate the International Women’s Day via video conference. on 8 March 2021 at 15.00 – 17.00 hrs (GMT+7) Location: ZOOM Husna Sulaiman ACWO 5. “Empowering ASEAN Women: Resilient and Thriving im am Equitable and Inclusive Economic Activity”: ACWO represented by Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim, a former CEO of SMEs Malaysia; as distinguished Panel in the Forum. Nov 25, 2021_ 3.00 tom 5.00 pm ZOOM Webinar Org by PBCWE Attended by many ACWO members 6. ACWO, as a regional Women CSO Entity invited to attend the 6th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN will be held in-person, on Friday, 25 November 2022, at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia . Request 2 persons from KOWANI, to represent ACWO
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 159 No. Conferences/meetings Date Attendance 7. ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), organised in partnership with UN Women and UNEP. The Assessment Report on the State of Gender Equality and Climate Change in ASEAN was also launched. Assessment Report - State of Gender Equality and Climate Change in ASEAN 18 August 2022, at 10:00 - 11:30hrs (GMT +7), Location: ZOOM HUSNA SULAIMAN 8 W20 Summit, theme “En Route to Gender Equality for Gender Welfare”. ACWO President invited to make an intervention W20 Summit 2022, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia Date: MondayThursday, July 18-21, 2022 July 20, 2022 Location: ZOOM Open To all ACWO members Represented by Ibu Giwo Rubianto, KOWANI PRESIDENT on behalf of President of ACWO 9. Official Launch of the Mid-Term Review Report of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2016-2025 (ASEAN RPA on EVAW) Jointly organised by the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC); With support from UN Women and the ASEAN Secretariat. on 2 December 2021 at 10.00 – 11.30 hrs (GMT+7) Location: ZOOM Husna Sulaiman ACWO May Myanmar MWAF Dr Lalivan NCWT Dr Anamah Tan SCWO 10. Policy Dialogue and Launch of the Policymakers Toolkit “Strengthening Women’s Entrepreneurship in National Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Policies and Action Plans” which will be held virtually today, 23 November 2022 from 09:00 am – 11:30 am GMT+7/ Jakarta time Husna Sulaiman and Dr Annama Tan
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 160 ❖ Preparation meeting for the handover Ceremony of the ACWO 2023-2024 new Presidents that will be held in January 2023 – 12 December 2022 ❖ ACWO Handover of Presidency Ceremony – 6 January 2023 NCWO Malaysia delegation was led by Tan Sri Sharifah (President) attended Biennial General Assembly and Confederation Council Meeting di Hotel Wafa, Brunei Darul Salam. Other members of the delegation include Anita Aqeela (Deputy President), Datin Nazley (Honorary Treasurer) and Prof Madya Dr Sharifah Syahirah (Assistant Secretary General).
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NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 162 ❖ 21th ACWO Board of Directors (2023-2024) Board of Directors Member State Name President NCWP (Philippines) Dr. Cecelia M. Dy. Vice President VWU (Vietnam) Ms Ha Thi Nga Secretary KOWANI (Indonesia) Dr Ir. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo, M.Pd Treasurer NCWO (Malaysia) Prof Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin First Director NCWT (Thailand) Ms Sukanya Prachuabmoh Second Director CWPD (Cambodia) H.E. Kloth Tong Phka Third Director LWU (Lao PDR) Dr Inlavanh Keobounphan Fourth Director MWAF (Myanmar) Dr Thet Thet Zin Fifth Director SCWO (Singapore) Ms Junie Foo Sixth Director CWBD (Brunei Darussalam) Datin Hajah Siti Hajah bt Md Yusuf
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 163 8.0 - CONCLUDING REMARKS All the excitement, pain and endurance of the two long years of 2021 and 2022 have ended, but the journey for NCWO continues on. The challenges of post COVID-19 pandemic, widening economic inequality, and the climate crisis, just to name a few will still be faced and dealt deligently. NCWO along with its affiliates has paved through the last two years with activities and programs that help women and families based on its four main focus areas, namely Policy and Advocacy, Entrepreneurship and Digital Economy, Unity and Diversity and Wellbeing and Aged Community. These activities include seminars, writing of memorandums and press statements, workshops, research and campaigns. Engagements and partnership with other bodies locally and internationally particularly with relevant ministries like Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance; other Civil Societies; universities and private sectors have made it possible for NCWO to run its activities successfully. NCWO is committed to pursue its work in making itself the primary advocacy body for the advancement of women and gender equality towards the development of Malaysia. This has been shown in its activities throughout these two years and its future plan. We thank the management team of 2021-2022 session for their valuable contributions who had worked hard and tirelessly delivering what NCWO has always aspired. We now warmly welcome the new team of the session onboard to continue this legacy. We hope to share more successes in the future. May the spirit of collaboration, contribution, love of giving and motivation continue to spark inspiration to all NCWO members as been shown by our dear late Prof Dr Zarina Abdul Latiff, a Senior Consultant Paediatrician & Clinical Geneticist at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) who was also the co-chair of NCWO Health Committee. Through her expertise and passion to help others, she had secured several grants for projects and research to help children in collaboration with NCWO. Such projects include Child Friendly Practices in School, which was a Project with Bahagian Dasar Ministry of Education;
NCWO Biennial Report 2021-2022 164 CyberSAFE Project with CyberSecurity Malaysia where a few books were produced such as the book entitled “Cyber-Parenting - Ke Arah Kesejahteraan Siber” and “Buku Panduan Keibubapaan Siber” She also led and completed the project on development of “Cyber Social Risk Index” which is the first of its kind in the world. As a renowned Paediatrician, her input was most useful in our Advocacy work involving children; notably her involvement in NCWO’s stands with regards to elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and NCWO’s paper on development of child-friendly standards in childabuse cases. Prof Dr Zarina will always be remembered for her sincerity, kindness, dedication, diligence, and patience in dealing with work and life. Her fiery spirit and positive outlook in life has made her an exemplary professional well respected by all. May Allah bless her with all her good deeds and grant her the eternal abode in Heaven. Al-fatihah.