DAP: Indian blueprint has neglected welfare of women

Kasthuri Patto says the document gives no focus to helping single mothers and victims of domestic violence.

PETALING JAYA: Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto is disappointed that the newly-launched federal blueprint for Indians does not give any significant focus to empowering women, especially those in the lower-income category.

The DAP Wanita publicity secretary said the document made no mention of assistance for single mothers and victims of domestic violence, and on the provision of accessible childcare facilities.

In a statement today, she said the new blueprint was “a crying shame for women empowerment” although women made up slightly more than men in the Indian community.

“Many who fall in the B40 category (those whose household income represents the lowest 40%), especially single mothers, can hardly make ends meet to send their children to affordable childcare facilities as most, if not all, are working single parents.”

She said unemployment of Malaysian Indian women stood at 5.2% compared with Indian men at 4%.

“This is in stark comparison to the unemployment rate for women nationally at 3.2%.

“What are the reforms by the BN government to ensure the number of unemployed women, including Indian women, is reduced?”

She said most single mothers had to juggle between meagre salaries, the high cost of living and the lack of support systems for their families.

Kasthuri also questioned how the government proposed to ensure cases of abuse and domestic violence within Malaysian Indian households could be reduced.

She said she suggested in her budget debate speech in the Dewan Rakyat last year that the Welfare Department have a specific allocation for single mothers to help them stand on their own two feet while taking care of their family, work and social life.

The 10-year Malaysian Action Plan for the Indian Community was launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday with an allocation of more than RM1 billion.

Najib said the initiative’s progress would be monitored by the Cabinet Committee for the Indian Community (CCIC) chaired by him, while its implementation would be watched over by an executive committee chaired by MIC president Dr S Subramaniam, who is also health minister. -FMT