KUALA LUMPUR: A new one-stop centre to allow women facing domestic issues to seek help faster, and a tax exemption for corporate bodies sponsoring eligible women are two new initiatives that are now available for the country’s womenfolk.
Announcing this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said efforts to empower women must be seen in a broader context, including strengthening the family institution, which is considered an important foundation for nation-building.
He said while pursuing technological advancements and digital transformation, the emphasis on religious, cultural and traditional values must continue to be preserved through strengthening the family institution.
“While we reach for the sky, we must also always stay rooted to the ground.
“This means upholding faith, values, culture and traditions, and shaping all of these through the family institution,” he said at the International Women’s Day 2026 celebration yesterday.
On the one-stop centre called PRISMAnita, the Prime Minister said it aims to provide faster, coordinated and victim-friendly access to assistance, particularly in dealing with family issues and domestic violence.
PRISMAnita will serve as an intermediary for referral, intervention, support, information and advocacy for women.
“There will be a more comprehensive support, covering advisory services, referrals and the coordination of case together with various stakeholders,” he said.
On the tax exemption incentive for corporate bodies through the Housewives Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kasih), Anwar said that corporate bodies sponsoring contributions for eligible women will now enjoy tax exemptions.
He said it is part of efforts to empower women under the National Women’s Policy 2025-2030.
“I am extending this to the Housewives Social Security Scheme, which was introduced in 2022 under the management of PERKESO (Social Security Organisation), with a contribution of RM120 per year.
“This scheme provides various benefits, including medical for those who become disabled, facilitates rehabilitation and offers many related facilities,” he said.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri in her speech said PRISMAnita will make it easier for women to access responsive services.
She said it would operate through the state women’s development department offices and function as a one-stop centre, bringing together various services under one roof, in line with the “no wrong door policy” to ensure women seeking help will not face bureaucratic barriers.
The minister said statistics by the Public Service Department (JPA) showed that as of December last year, women make up 39.4% of top public sector management positions, which exceeds the national target of 30%.
In the private sector, Nancy said women hold 34.6% of board positions in the top 100 public listed companies.
“This reflects significant progress in strengthening women leadership in corporate management,” added Nancy.
This year’s theme “Empowering Women, Strengthening the Nation” highlights that valuing women strengthens the entire country.
Also present were the Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
