Nancy: Family Index shows mothers bear too much household responsibility
MELAKA: The Malaysian Family Well-being Index showed a decline in scores for the Family Quality Time Indicator and Work-Family Balance Indicator in 2022 compared with 2019, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
“Working mothers spend much of their time dealing with demanding daily routines, needing to wake up early to attend to their children and family, working an average of eight to 10 hours daily, returning home in the late afternoon or early evening, and continuing their duties as a wife and mother at home.
“It is essential to recognise that the responsibility of raising children and managing the household is not solely the mother’s duty.
“Husbands must empathise with and value their wives’ contributions, as well as actively participate in household chores and childcare,” she said.
The Index provides a benchmark of Malaysian family well-being measuring seven domains and 23 indicators.
The seven domains are: Role of Religion and Spiritual Practices, Family and Community Engagement, Family Relationship, Family Safety, Family Health, Housing and Environment, and Family Economy.
Meanwhile, Nancy said the Fifth Malaysian Population and Family Study conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board found that teen discipline issues are among the top three challenges faced by mothers.
“This is followed by children’s education and family expenses,” she said in her speech at the National Mother’s Day Celebration 2024 themed ‘Thank You, Mother’ at the board’s family centre in Ayer Keroh yesterday.
Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, officiated at the event. Her Majesty bestowed the Mother’s Inspiration Award upon Rahamah Mohtar, 61, from Kapar, Selangor, in recognition of her unwavering dedication to caring for her 21-year-old son Ahmad Mujahid Azmi who has cerebral palsy, Bernama reported.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who was also present, announced that the state government had allocated RM500,000 through the Women Empowerment Programme to incentivise their participation in all development and empowerment programmes in the state.
He said Melaka had set up the Melaka State Women’s Shelter within the premises of the State Legislative Assembly Development and Coordination Committee Complex, aligning with efforts to support the community’s welfare agenda.
