Women's group urges parliament to apply gender lens to 2027 budget

The All Women's Action Society has appealed to Members of Parliament to conduct a thorough gender-focused review of the 2027 budget, expressing concern that current proposals fail to sufficiently tackle key issues affecting women in Malaysia.

The advocacy group identified three priority areas where budget allocations fall short: measures to combat gender-based violence, initiatives to enhance women's participation in the economy, and recognition of unpaid care work that disproportionately affects women.

The call comes as Parliament prepares to deliberate on the government's spending plans. The group's statement underscores growing pressure from civil society organisations for greater integration of gender considerations into fiscal policy decisions.

Advocacy groups across the region have increasingly emphasised the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, arguing that mainstream fiscal planning often overlooks the distinct economic and social needs of women and marginalised communities.

The society's intervention represents part of broader efforts by women's rights organisations in Malaysia to ensure that public resources are allocated in ways that advance gender equality and address systemic barriers facing women.