BANGKOK: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry aims to empower rural women and girls through the cottage industry under its flagship 'Wanita Bangkit' programme in a bid to help them become financially independent and go global.

Its minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said the Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, which is famed for producing 'benjarong' (painted Thai porcelain) for more than 30 years, is a great model for empowering rural women and girls through income-generating activities.

"It is also an initiative to preserve unique culture and traditions besides a productive way to spend your free time.

"With this visit (to Benjarong Village), we want to study existing models to be adapted into the Wanita Bangkit MyKasih Kapital programme," she told Bernama.

Rina added that the cottage industry plays a significant role in economic growth where it provides women with opportunities to work from home.

Rina visited Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village in Samut Sakhon on Sunday.

The village's community has inherited the production of the high-quality and five-coloured painted porcelain for many generations. Today, the making of 'benjarong' has spread from bowls to utensils as well as house decorations.

Meanwhile, Rina hoped the ministry's 'MyKasih Kapital' programme, which began in March last year in conjunction with the International Women's Day celebration, would benefit more women entrepreneurs.

"We hope to empower more women entrepreneurs in the country to go global," she said, adding that the success stories of women entrepreneurs should inspire more girls and women to venture into entrepreneurship.

'MyKasih Kapital' is an initiative that provides courses as basic preparation for the women participants to equip themselves before venturing into the field of entrepreneurship. Participants were provided with RM500 (USD114) to start their business.

Under this initiative, participants will be evaluated, monitored, and required to follow appropriate courses as preparation to venture into business.

Last week, Rina shared 'Wanita Bangkit' - Malaysia's women empowerment initiative - at the 2022 Global Summit of Women (GSW) Ministerial Roundtable.

Launched in September last year, 'Wanita Bangkit' - the brainchild of Rina - is aimed at lending a helping hand to women who are struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was commended at the summit for impacting women.

President of GSW, Irene Natividad, said 'Wanita Bangkit' is a great programme that trains women to start their businesses and to be economically self-reliant.

-- BERNAMA