KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2022 is a good platform to address fundamental inequalities that are hindering the development and well-being of women in the country, says the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).

       The federal budget, said its executive director Sumitra Visvanathan, also touched on gender-related issues, including violence against women, employment, health, and social protection.

       She pointed to the RM13mil allocation to strengthen the Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division, including the creation of 100 new posts, as well as to implement the ‘Waja Squad’ for community awareness programmes nationwide on violence against women.

       “Overall, while we acknowledge there is an emphasis on gender allocation in the Budget, we also feel that it should be more ambitious, especially as the gender gap widens following the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement.

       In Seremban, Negri Sembilan women’s affairs, family and welfare committee chairman Nicole Tan Lee Koon was of the view that the RM5mil allocation to the Women Leadership Foundation could boost the group’s participation in the economic sector.

       She said the allocation should be channelled to those who are truly eligible and not based on the available list.

       “More women, especially single mothers, can get involved in the economic sector through young leadership training and entrepreneurship programmes,” she said when contacted by Bernama here.

       She also praised the government’s efforts to distribute free basic personal hygiene kits every month to 130,000 young women in the B40 group.

       However, Tan said the delivery system should be scrutinised so that the objective is met.

       On the individual income tax relief of up to RM3,000 for the payment of daycare and kindergarten fees until the year of assessment 2023, she felt that this should be expanded.