Women’s group in Malaysia calls for 2022 budget to address gender gaps

This call was made by the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), which said on its road to economic recovery, Malaysia should have measures to help women, families and vulnerable communities. 

WAO made three recommendations to be included in the 2022 budget to help these groups of people. 

The first is for the national budget to strengthen available support services for domestic violence and gender-based violence survivors. “The past two years have seen multiple movement control orders (MCOs) and enforced confinement at home in efforts to manage the pandemic. This has exacerbated instances of domestic violence and gender-based violence across Malaysia,” WAO said. 

The second is for a gender-responsive approach in addressing national employment and job security. “Incentives and subsidies must be provided to address the lack of gender-sensitive hiring and childcare support, to close gender gaps in employment that have worsened due to the pandemic.” 

The final recommendation is for the government to implement stronger mental healthcare services, accessibility and awareness particularly for women and children. 

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WAO said, “We strongly urge the government to consider these recommendations, to ensure that Budget 2022 provides support to those most adversely affected by the pandemic to thrive,” reported Free Malaysia Today.