Given the important role of women in nation building, the government is prioritising women's welfare by calling on all parties to ensure that women are given the respect and recognition they deserve.

Budget 2023 recognises women’s contributions at all levels

In an effort to recognize the socioeconomic contributions of women, through Budget 2023, the government is placing a special emphasis on women’s welfare, reassuring the important, different roles held by women in the country.

One of the key initiatives is to give women income tax exemption for the assessment years from 2023 to 2028 - to encourage them to return to the workforce. In addition, the government will also implement special training programs to improve their skills while nurturing more women to become board members.

In addition, in order to increase the country's fertility rate, Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) will provide mothers with a special benefit under the CahayaMata Keluarga Malaysia initiative, i.e. a one-off cash assistance of RM500 for giving birth in 2023.

The government has also allocated a RM11 million subsidy for mammography and cervical cancer screening, which will be conducted using a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening. Meanwhile, in an effort to promote entrepreneurship among women, the government has set aside RM235 million in special financing funds for them, through Semarak-Nita BSN, Tekunita TEKUN, Dananita MARA, and Bizlady Bank Rakyat.

"The mammography and cervical cancer screening subsidy initiated by the Prime Minister will certainly encourage more women to go for those screenings, which is going to benefit more women at large," said campaign producer Dania.

Meanwhile, Vani, 42, gave a thumbs-up to the government for the initiative to have more women in the boardroom, which augurs well for their career advancement.

Apart from ensuring women have more opportunities and room to grow, empowering women will continue to be a top agenda, moving forward.

In order to strengthen the role of women at the federal and state levels, the government is carrying out a series of empowerment initiatives under the National Women’s Council (MWN), the National Women's Executive Committee (JEWN) and State Women’s Working Committees (JKWNi).

Enforcement of Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 (AGS) 2021 was passed unanimously by Dewan Rakyat in July last year, which not only gives protection to women, but men too, from sexual harassment.

Furthermore, the government has also set up the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline service as a connecting platform between target groups and the relevant agencies for enquiries, complaints and requests for assistance, including advice, protection and welfare concerning sexual harassment, domestic violence and abuse.

Department of Syariah Judiciary Malaysia to push for more alimony protection for women

The government, through Department of Syariah Judiciary Malaysia, will be introducing alimony protection law that empowers banks to freeze the accounts of husbands who refuse to pay spousal support (alimony) under the direction of the court.

Through the initiative, the bank can even pay the wife directly from the husband's frozen account if the she files for the alimony claim in court.

The government has also suggested to the department heads or top management to allow women whose husbands have just passed away to work from home temporarily, so that they have enough time to settle family matters including sorting out their late husband's estate.