SINGLE MOTHERS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

TEMERLOH (Malaysia), March 26 (Bernama) -- The prime minister's wife Rosmah
Mansor Friday advised single mothers to be sensitive to change, equip themselves
with knowledge and skills, and take advantage of the economic opportunities
available to improve their lot.

"They should also participate in the programmes organised by the government
towards ensuring the family and society's well-being," she said when opening the
6th annual general meeting of the Single Parents Association of the stae of
Pahang here, Friday.

Also present were state Tourism, Family Development and Women's Affairs
Committee chairman Shafik Fauzan Sharif and the association's chairman Melati
Ali.

Rosmah suggested that an in-depth study be done covering problems faced by
single mothers, the causes and effects of their marital break-up, and legal
aspects pertaining to such matters as common property, custody and alimony.

She said from the findings of the study, the relevant authorities could come
up with suitable programmes to help the second generation cope with life without
a father figure in the family and other negative effects of their parents'
marital break-up.

Rosmah also said that state governments and the local authorities should
consider and provide opportunities like low-cost housing, share acquisition and
other incentives for single mothers.

She said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, meanwhile,
should continue enahancing its implementation capacity to enable more expansive
and effective service delivery to single mothers, including the grassroots.

"This will make them aware of the opportunities or programmes available for
them to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge, and to gain employment
or increase their income."

Rosmah said economy was the biggest problem faced by single mothers as some
might have been housewives before and now needed a job to fend for themselves
and their children, with the problem being worse if they were lowly-educated.

She commended the association for being pro-active by assisting and
empowering single mothers through the courses organised for them to acquire
skills or learn how to do business.

She said according to statistics from the Family Development Department,
there were 128,801 single mothers nationwide in 2000, with 60 per cent
comprising Malays, 23 per cent Chinese, nine per cent Indians and eight per
cent, other races. A large proportion of the single mothers were aged 45 to 54.
-- BERNAMA