Kota kinabalu: The Kasih Ibu Tunggal (KasihnITA) programme is a holistic initiative aimed at empowering single mothers through guidance in three key areas: legal literacy, financial management, and psychosocial development. Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasized the importance of mastering these areas to help single mothers understand their rights, manage their finances effectively, and build the resilience needed to move forward in life.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy stated that the programme was developed to empower single mothers requiring guidance and support, enabling them to become more knowledgeable, confident, and better equipped to manage their lives. She made these remarks while officiating the state-level launch of KasihnITA 2026 in Sabah, where 150 participants were selected from 684 applications.
Also present at the event were Sabah Assistant Minister of Women, Health and People's Wellbeing Datuk Rina Jainal and Women's Development Department director-general Hanani Sapit. Nancy urged participants to fully utilize the knowledge gained from the three modules by translating what they had learned into practical action, highlighting that true success is when single mothers gain the confidence to defend their rights, make better financial decisions, and build a more prosperous life for themselves and their families.
In a conversation with reporters, Nancy revealed that the ministry would continue providing legal aid to underprivileged women, including single mothers facing financial difficulties and unemployment, through allocations in upcoming budgets. The assistance covers legal services for marriage and divorce cases handled through civil or Syariah channels, irrespective of race or religion, with civil cases typically resolved within six months to a year, depending on circumstances.
Furthermore, Nancy announced plans to intensify advocacy programmes to guide women who are victims of domestic violence, assisting them in breaking free from the cycle of abuse. She stressed the importance of transitioning from victimhood to survivorship, encouraging victims to report incidents to authorities and seek help at hospitals equipped with One Stop Crisis Centres.
Nancy also mentioned that victims can contact the Talian Kasih hotline at 15999 to receive psychosocial support from counsellors, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support to rebuild their lives.