Personal experience drives Fadhlina's push for better caregiver support for working mothers

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, shaped by her own traumatic experiences, is championing improved support for working mothers and their caregivers. Her young children suffered abuse at the hands of caregivers, and she lost another child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), leaving her to grapple with whether to keep working or stay home. These experiences, she says, have cemented her resolve to enhance caregiver support.

During a speech at the Himpunan Gala Pesona Kasih Madani, Fadhlina emphasized the need for caregivers to demonstrate dedication, receive training, and recognize their role within the community. With six children, three have relied on caregivers, a challenge Fadhlina faces regularly. Her personal struggles were further compounded by the loss of her fourth child, a trauma that made her question her work-life balance.

Fadhlina highlighted the importance of a robust childcare ecosystem, noting that support from family was crucial during these times. She called for expanding the Kasih Madani caregiver programme, which already reaches over 1,000 caregivers across four states. The programme, managed by Merdeka Centre with support from the Finance Ministry, aims to bolster Malaysia's childcare system by empowering caregivers through training and professional development.

Fadhlina also stressed the need for caregivers to be trained and accredited, arguing that this would strengthen child protection at the community level. She urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to incorporate the programme into the next year's Budget, enabling more women to access support. Fadhlina believes that expanding trained caregiver numbers will contribute to women's empowerment, allowing mothers to work with greater peace of mind.