Five steps to make Budget 2021 allocation for victims of violence effective

It is important to ensure domestic violence shelters adhere to good practices and standards. Photo: 123rf.com

While the Budget 2021’s allocation of RM21mil towards domestic violence centres is well-received, two women’s groups believe that there are steps that need to be taken so that the allocation will be effective in improving the lives of domestic violence survivors.

A statement released by Engender Consultancy (a social enterprise advocating women empowerment and gender equality), and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) on Tuesday said that the RM21mil allocation towards domestic violence “local social support centres” as well as the MySTEP allocation for short-term social workers and medical officers in Budget 2021 is “a welcome step in the right direction”. The NGOs also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Finance’s National Budget Office and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), for engaging in dialogue with civil society and taking steps to help improve the lives of domestic violence survivors.