NGO lobbies for funding to address women’s issues

PETALING JAYA: There should be an allocation in Budget 2017 to support laws and policies on issues affecting women, says Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).

Its executive director Sumitra Visvanathan said it would like to see a commitment to address violence against women in the Budget.

“If laws and policies on domestic violence, rape and other forms of violence against women aren’t backed up with financial resources, they can’t be enforced effectively,” she said.

She added that there was a need for more facilities, such as crisis shelters, to help women facing domestic violence.

“More and more survivors are seeking help. Last year, over 5,000 police reports were made on domestic violence.

“WAO serves as many survivors as we can, but only the Government has the resources to provide the services on a large scale,” she said.

Sumitra added that WAO would keep a close eye on the programmes that had been given RM2bil to boost the role of women in national development.

The programmes include I-KIT, I-KeuNita and the Women Career Comeback programme.

“The emphasis should be on addressing the root cause of women’s low participation in the workforce.

“The programmes should focus on creating opportunities and keeping women in the workplace,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mandy Wong, 32, said the tax exemption for breastfeeding equipment is encouraging.

“A breastpump alone costs RM1,100. Bottles, accessories, cooler bags and containers cost another RM200.

”Moreover, nursing mothers need to get special bras and disposable breastpads when they start breastfeeding,” Wong, a mother working in the insurance industry, said.