The Gender Budget Group (GBG) said the federal budget announced today should have taken into consideration the rising number of female-led households who may not be eligible for tax exemptions or may likely be in formal work.

The budget should have included wider “disaggregated data” for gender-equal technical and vocational education and training programmes.

The group lamented that the budget had a “limited gender perspective” and could have been improved so that allocations could reach those who need it the most, including women and children.

Among the measures included in the budget was a RM720 million allocation for small loans to encourage women and young people to venture into business, and an increase in income tax exemption limit on childcare allowances from RM2,400 to RM3,000.

GBG lauded the EPF i-Sayang programme extension which now allows wives to transfer 2% of their contributions to their husbands. It said the move acknowledged the shared care work by spouses.