In today’s announcement of the Budget 2023, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz shared that they have taken into consideration the importance of closing the gender gap between men and women.
With that being said, here’s what us ladies need to know:
- A Gender Focal Team will be formed in all government departments and agencies, to ensure that policies take into account the importance of gender.
- An Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal will be established, to fight all forms of sexual harassment and to raise awareness. (This one is actually for guys too, since men can also be victims of sexual harassment.)
- Local support centers for those experiencing domestic abuse will be strengthened, with an allocation of RM8 million. They will provide assistance with early intervention, psycho-social advocacy and counselling. (This one is also actually for guys too, since men can also be victims of domestic abuse.)
- RM11 million will be allocated towards subsidies for mammogram tests and cervical cancer screenings.
- To champion female-run businesses, RM235 million will be allocated to the Dana Pembiayaa Khas Wanita with initiatives such as Semarak-Nita BSN, Tekunita TEKUN, Dananita MARA and Bizlady Bank Rakyat.
- The Securities Commission Malaysia will introduce a special training program to improve women’s skills at the corporate leadership level.
- Political parties are urged to nominate more women representatives in the upcoming elections.
- To encourage women to return to the workforce after taking a ‘career break’, the government plans to exempt women from income tax payments for the income they earn in the assessment year of 2023 to 2028.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Also read: BUDGET 2023: Here’s What You Need To Know About Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM)
