Teen discipline, education, family expenses are mums’ top three challenges, says Nancy

MELAKA: Teen discipline issues are among the top three challenges faced by mothers today, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

She stated that these challenges were identified through the Fifth Malaysian Population and Family Study conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board.

“This is followed by children’s education and family expenses,” she said during her speech at the National Mother’s Day Celebration 2024 themed “Thank You, Mother” at the board’s family centre in Ayer Keroh on Sunday (May 12).

Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia, officiated the event which was also attended by the Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s wife Toh Puan Asmah Ab Rahman; Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and his wife Datin Seri Zuriyah Ab Aziz; as well as the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

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.

Nancy also revealed that the findings of the Malaysian Family Well-being Index showed a decline in the scores for the Family Quality Time Indicator and the Work-Family Balance Indicator in 2022 from 2019.

“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 a day, returning home 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.

“Therefore, husbands must empathise with and value their wives’ contributions, as well as actively participate in household chores and childcare,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf announced that the state government has allocated RM500,000 through the Women Empowerment Programme to incentivise women’s participation in programmes tailored for them in the state.

He said that with the ministry’s cooperation, Melaka has successfully established the 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. – BK