The National Family Policy

NATIONAL FAMILY POLICY1

ContentsForeword

Preamble

NFP Rationale

NFP Policy Statement and Objectives

NFP Principles

NFP Strategic Thrusts

NFP Implementation Strategy

Conclusion

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Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) Secretary General, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Director General, National Population and Family Development Board

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NATIONAL POPULATION AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT BOARD


Recognising that the family is the primary determinant of a healthy, dynamic, productive and competitive nation, the Government through the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) took the initiative to formulate a National Family Policy (NFP). The policy will guide and remind all parties involved in the national development process to mainstream the family perspective in legislations, policies, procedures, regulations and overall development programmes. This is in accordance with the MWFCD initiative to develop a New Social Development Model that is in line with the New Economic Model.

DATUK ROHANI ABDUL KARIM

Minister of Women, Familyand Community Development


The Ministry plays a major part in empowering and ensuring the active participation of women, family and community in the development of the nation. A strong, stable family institution is greatly needed to ensure all citizens can continue their efforts towards enjoying a wholesome and well balanced life. Visionary family institutions will be able to produce more dynamic future generations.

Secretary General Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

DATO SRI DR. NOORUL AINUR MOHD. NUR


The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development through the National Population and Family Development Board formulated the National Family Policy (NFP) that was approved by the Malaysian Cabinet of Ministers in December 2010. The NFP is a policy that urges all stakeholders to emphasise family perspectives in all their

fo noitatnemelpmi dna seigetarts ,gninnalpprogrammes. On a broader scale, the NFP supports the Governments development objectives by complementing the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) through the 1Malaysia programme, the New Economic Model (NEM) and the Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-10). Indirectly, the NFP acts as a provider of human resource with moral integrity through the strengthening of the family institution.

DR. SITI NORLASIAH ISMAILDirector General

National Population and Family Development Board


The National Family Policy (NFP) supports and complements existing policies such as the National Social Policy, National Policy on Women and the National Child Policy. It also embodies the spirit of the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara (the National Principles) and the goals of Vision 2020. In addition, this policy also refers to Malaysias international commitments such as those under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The accompanying National Family Policy Action Plan (NFPAP) details actions that need to be taken by government agencies, non-governmental organisations, academicians, the private sector and other members of the society. In this regard, the NFP will be translated into strategies, programmes and activities to facilitate effective implementation. The NFPAP has three thrusts that cover the main sectors involving 40 implementation agencies.

PREAMBLEThe family is a fundamental social unit that provides human capital for development and ensures the continuity of future generations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 16/3, recognises the family as natural and fundamental group and is entitled to protection by society and the State. In this regard, the family must be strengthened, enriched and empowered with up-to-date knowledge, skills and expertise.


RationaleNFPThe formulation of the NFP and the NFPAP enables more comprehensive and systematic steps to be focused on:

i. A total and holistic direction for family wellbeing that encompasses physical, mental, economic, social, psychological and spiritual development at every stage in the family life cycle.

ii. The family as the most fundamental unit provides the platform for human capital development that will propel the development of a nation. Hence, policies,

seilimaf rewopme ot erutcurtsarfni gnitroppus eht dna ,secivres ,semmargorp through their inherent strengths will be developed to create high quality human

capital with integrity.

iii. Formation and strengthening of the family institution so that each family member can be empowered to perform, jointly and fairly, their roles in terms of family relationships, economy, career and lifestyle in order to improve stability, harmony and well-being.

iv. Efforts to guide and nurture families with skills to inculcate, internalise and practice good moral and family values. These values can be the catalyst for success and self-protection. The practice of moral values by each individual family member will be reinforced in educational institutions, the community and at the workplaces.

v. Efforts to strengthen inter-generational ties where the elderly are valued and are critical in transferring positive values to future generations. Hence,a culture of a close-knitted family having the attributes of loving, caring,


mutual respect, fairness, helpful and supportive, and protective of the weak, ylediw dna denehtgnerts d,erutrun eb nac roop eht dna dega eht

practiced.

vi. Rights and equality where focus will be applied to laws and policies that ensure protection and security, and establish a culture of gender equality in the family.

vii. Increasing the commitment and social responsibility of all parties to implement family-friendly policies and programmes. Efforts will be to mainstream the family well-being in planning, implementation,monitoring and assessment of all development

programmes be it in the areas of economics,

science and technology and legislation.Through this policy,

Awareness and knowledge on respecting family rights and the rights ofindividuals in the family will be enhanced so that individuals receive respect and self dignity. Positive practices are to be encouraged to cultivate a culture of harmony, justice and gender equality, regardless of genderand age. Assurance should be given so that information and the right to legal protection may be obtained, as well as social participation, the equitable sharing of resources within the family and protection from violence, abuse and neglect of women, children and senior citizens

political, health, social, spiritual, environmental,


commitment can be enhanced to review and restructure policies, objectives, strategies and programme development to be more family -friendly.

viii. Enhancing the implementation of family wellbeing programs for different family structures and vulnerable families.

In line with our caring culture, the social commitments and responsibilities of all parties will be increased. Service facilities and infrastructures will be expanded and coordinated to support programs targeted for different family typessuch as single-parent families, hardcore poor families, vulnerable families (neglected or homeless), families with special children, families with disabled family members and families withspecial needs.


ix. Human capital development and K-Family: Commitment and social responsibility of all

parties will be enhanced and expanded to provide information and communicationtechnology (ICT) services and facilities ;

the provision of family-friendly support system

and opportunities for family members to better themselves.


PolicyStatementNFP

A policy prioritising family cimonoce-oicos lla ni evitcepsrep

development efforts to ensure quality generations.

The NFP aims to develop prosperous, healthy and resilient families to ensure social stability.

POLICY STATEMENT

GOAL


PrinciplesNFP

Each family has its own inherent strengths and is responsible for the survival of future generations.

Diverse family structures create differing needs.

Knowledge and information as the basis for family well-being (K-Family).

Family members have the basic right to protection and self-dignity.

Families are responsible for nurturing and internalisation of positive family values.

Family-friendly legislations, policies and programmes.

Employers commitment to ensure family well-being.

Principle 1

Principle 3

Principle 5

Principle 7

Principle 2

Principle 4

Principle 6

Principle 8

Strong family relationship, cultureof sharing resources and mutualresponsibilities ensure family well-being.


Strategic Thrust NFP

i. Increase the commitment and involvement of various stakeholders to prioritise the family perspective in all socio-economic development efforts;

ii. Ensure that laws, policies, procedures and enforcement of laws and regulations prioritise the family perspective; and

iii. Ensure that programmes, services and family-friendly facilities are accessible.


i. Research and Development On Family Well-Being Encourage research and development in the of family well-being, where the

can be used as inputs for the formulation of policies and laws as well as programme planning; and encourage research and development in the of family well-being by government agencies, the private sector, research institutions, institutions of higher learning and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

ii. Advocacy to Prioritise Family Well-Being The commitment to prioritise family well-being in development policies and

programmes by leaders, policy makers and decision makers in the public and private sectors, leaders of civil society and families can be increased through advocacy.

iii. Training and Life Long Education for Human Capital Developmentand Family Well-Being

Provide opportunities and facilities for families to participate in training and lifelong education for comprehensive human capital development and family well-being; encourage families to seek knowledge and improve the relevant skills to nurture individuals with good values and moral integrity; and provide more creative, innovative and effective formal and informal education and training methods including the use of the latest information and communication technologies to facilitate the

acquisition of knowledge and skills by family members.

Implementation Strategies NFP


iv. Provision of Resources and Conducive Environment for Family Empowerment.

Increase access to various services through sharing of resources and service points/facilities among implementing agencies.

v. Consultation and Strategic Partnerships With Various Government Agencies, Private Sector, Non-Government Organisations, Institutions of Higher Learning and the Community

Understanding and commitment by the public and private sectors to implement corporate social responsibility programmes focusing on family well-being; systematic and comprehensive cooperation between all parties involved; the implementation of programmes that focus on the family through the sharing of information, research technical resources, trainers and resources among the Government, private sector, non-governmental organization (NGO), research institutions and institutions of higher learning; and the recognition of NGOs as a smart partner in grassroots level programmes.

vi. Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation will

provide information on the impact of actions taken and will be the input for future policy formulation and improvement of subsequent programmes.


The National Family Policy is a key policy that focuses on aspects of family well-being and development. This policy provides the direction for the development of family- friendly services and programmes for nurturing healthy and resilient families in line with the aspirations of Vision 2020. The implementation of the NFP should be undertaken by all stakeholders to ensure the development of quality human capital imbued with exemplary values.

Conclusion

The National Family Policy

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