Background

“Establishment of a full-fledged ministry that demonstrates the government's commitment to raise the status of women in this country”

It was first named as the Ministry of Women Affairs and its establishment was announced by YAB the Prime Minister on 17 January 2001. The role and functions of the Ministry were then enlarged and expanded and the ministry was subsequently re-named as the Ministry of Women and Family Development (KPWK) on 15 February 2001. As a result, the Department of Women Affairs (HAWA) and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) were placed under the jurisdiction of this Ministry. The role and function of HAWA was subsequently reviewed and restructured and it is now known as the Department for Women Development (JPW).

After the 11th General Election in March 2004, the roles and responsibilities of KPWK were further broadened. On 27 March 2004, the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development was dissolved and some of their functions were subsequently subsumed into KPWK. In line with the restructuring, KPWK was further re-named as the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).

With the latest reorganisation, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development now oversees four (4) agencies under its direct jurisdiction i.e.:

• Department for Women Development (JPW)
• Social Welfare Department of Malaysia (JKMM)
• National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN)
• Social Institute of Malaysia (ISM)

The NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women or NIEW was officially established on the 1st of July 2006 and falls under the purview of MWFCD after Malaysia had been given the mandate to establish this Institute by NAM Member Countries.

KPWKM is led by Y.B. Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (2001 - Februari 2008) as the Minister, entrusted with the responsibility to promote and raise public perception on the importance of the role of women and family institution in contributing towards the developmental agenda of the nation. The Ministry is also responsible for the creation and promotion of community and social awareness programmes as well as the progression of the nation's social development objectives aspects especially those relating to social welfare, in line with the “Caring and Developed Society”, emphasized in the nation's Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020).

At the moment, KPWKM under the helm of Y.B. Senator Dato' Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Y.B. Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun appointed as Deputy Minister.