I CAN Malaysia, a member of the GNRC and a partner of the Interfaith Initiative to End Child Poverty (End Child Poverty), organized a three-day intensive workshop from 6th – 8th April 2018, at the International Islamic University in Malaysia, to address the burgeoning levels of poverty that lead to unemployment and increased violence against children.

Supported by End Child Poverty, I CAN Malaysia modelled the workshop against the WORTH program, a high-impact micro-banking program that empowers women to lift themselves and each other from poverty. WORTH’s unique model brings women and girls together to save money, access credit and start small businesses. “By empowering women care-givers, the community can contribute to the global effort to end child poverty and violence against children, particularly in the family setting,” rationalizes End Child Poverty.

 “This training on financial literacy was eye-opening, especially for a struggling single mother like me.” – Siti Fatimah bt Abdullah.

The workshop aimed at equipping the women with financial skills towards self-reliance and reinforcing positive parenting. During the training, participants were taught the mechanics of community banking such as accounting, banking cycle, managing loans, loan distribution and recording group transactions.

Twelve (12) women and girls from different organizations, including refugee mothers from Rohingya, graduated with certificates from this training. They were recognized as ambassadors of peace, advocating for a violence-free Malaysia and an end to child poverty.

I CAN Malaysia, in collaboration with End Child Poverty and the GNRC, now plans to scale-up the program across Malaysia, in addition to supporting the current plans of action developed by the graduates. Plans are underway to train more women and girls in July 2018, with the main focus being Rohingyan refugee mothers and girls in Darul Eslah.

This strategic process forms part of End Child Poverty’s larger Women Empowerment Program, which addresses the nexus between child poverty and violence against children.

Find out more about our End Child Poverty Impact programs.

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