KPWKM at the beginning of its establishment was known as the Ministry of Women's Affairs announced by the Prime Minister on 17 January 2001. The functions of the Ministry were later expanded and renamed the Ministry of Women and Family Development (KPWK ) on 15 February 2001. the establishment of the Ministry of women and Family (MWFD) is a manifestation of the country's implementation of commitments made at the Fourth World Conference on women in Beijing in 1995, as contained in the document Platform for Action for the advancement of women to the year 2000, that:
 
"the creation of a The complete ministry reflects the Government's high commitment to enhance the dignity of women in the country. "
 
In line with the establishment of KPWK, the Department of Women's Affairs (HAWA) and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) have been placed under this Ministry. HAWA was later restructured and known as the Women Development Department (JPW).
 
On 27 March 2004, the functions of the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development were dissolved and transferred to KPWK. In this regard, KPWK has been renamed the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
 
KPWKM has five (5) agencies under its administration, namely:
 

• Social Welfare Department (JKMM) established in 1946;
• National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) established in 1966;
• Department of Women Development (JPW) established in 2001;
• Malaysian Social Institute (ISM) established in 2002; and
• Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) which was established in 1981

 
On 10 March 2020, YB Datuk Seri Rina binti Mohd Harun was appointed Minister of Women, Family and Community Development with the assistance of a Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, namely YB Dato 'Hajah Siti Zailah binti Mohd Yusoff.