Additional funding an opportunity to empower women

KUCHING: The increased allocation for Sarawak in the 2025 Budget will enable the state government to address key areas such as healthcare, education, and community development.

PurpleLily Social Association Kuching Operations and Management Coordinator, Suraya Bujang, said the additional funding provides an opportunity to expand impactful programmes focused on empowering women, enhancing financial literacy, and fostering economic resilience.

“PurpleLily is committed to leveraging this additional support by working with government agencies, NGOs, and private organisations to expand our community initiatives and ensure the increased funding brings long-lasting benefits to Sarawak’s diverse communities,” she said.

A major highlight of the budget, she added, is the establishment of a cancer centre in Kuching, which will significantly improve cancer care in the region.

However, she emphasised the importance of early detection, especially for women, in improving health outcomes.

“Many women and children in rural Sarawak face significant challenges in accessing healthcare and education due to unsafe infrastructure, such as unstable bridges and long boat rides to schools and clinics,” she added.

To address these barriers, PurpleLily advocates for mobile health clinics, the revival of community health workers (CHWs) to provide basic care, and subsidised transportation for healthcare access.

These measures would enhance early detection and healthcare delivery, particularly for marginalised women and children.

While the budget is seen as a positive step, PurpleLily noted that more support is needed for unpaid care work, which limits women’s ability to engage in income-generating activities.

Investments in the care economy, such as funding for childcare and elderly care services would enable women to participate more fully in the workforce and contribute to economic growth.

Furthermore, healthcare and education investments should explicitly prioritise maternal health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health, which are crucial for women’s well-being especially those in underserved areas.

“Women in agriculture, especially indigenous women, also require targeted support in the form of sustainable farming training and access to technology to ease the labour-intensive nature of traditional farming practices,” it added.

PurpleLily also recommends integrating financial literacy and management into all community initiatives across ministries.

“By embedding financial education in these projects, participants will gain essential skills in managing personal finances, leading to more sustainable
community efforts and empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions,” it said.