Budget 2023 creates opportunities for women post-Covid-19, says Shahrizat

PETALING JAYA: Budget 2023 creates opportunities for Malaysian women, especially those affected by domestic violence during Covid-19, says Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

"During the pandemic, women were affected in other areas and spent more time taking care of children, elderly parents and sick family members and having to put their careers on hold," said the former women, family and community development minister in a statement on Saturday (Oct 8).

She said that certain measures, such as the tax deductions for women re-entering the labour force and programmatic support for female entrepreneurs encourage women to build themselves up again and enable them to support their families.

However, she said effective implementation is the key to unlocking the potential of Budget 2023 and sustaining the recovery it aims for.

"Strong leadership is required to ensure that the mechanism is in place so that women are able to take advantage of these opportunities," she said.

Shahrizat said the government must ensure that these one-off payments are part of a strategic push that supports women to find work, earn more money and take care of their families and themselves.