SHAH ALAM – Wanita PKR chief Fuziah Salleh stresses on the importance of women to be powerful during her speech at the party’s 16th National Congress here, today.
She said the challenges faced by such women should come with the support system that helped them become empowered under the purview of the individuals, communities or organisations, local governments, state governments and the central government.
"To allow this to happen, it should be introduced under the ‘Umbrella Concept’ and Enabling Environment which includes reviewing the laws, policies as well as procedures that acted as an obstacle for women to achieve equality in every aspect of life.
She added that Gender Impact Assessment should be implemented in every law and policy before being dissolved to evaluate the impact on women as it had not been done before.
"I am convinced that it is the key to our ability to overcome challenges and obstacles in empowering women,” she said at the congress which was held in Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam (IDCC).
Fuziah also said that Gender Responsive Budget (GRB) was not a radical nor it was a feminist movement but a concept to ensure equitable distribution of national resources among both genders for equal opportunities and benefits for everyone.
Commenting further, Fuziah said among the initiatives that should be praised and proud of during the administration of Pakatan Harapan was #WanitaKerja incentive.
"The #WanitaKerja incentive was introduced to re-encourage women aged 30-50 years to return to work after quitting for more than a year and provide incentives to employees and employers as an offer so that women can improve their capabilities and contribute to the country.
"These women are also given salary incentives for two years of RM500 per month for two years with an extended income tax exemption for four years,” she said.
Therefore, she said it is appropriate that the enabling environment should be provided for that purpose, especially in terms of providing a support system for quality and affordable childcare.