IPOH: Sandrea Ng announced that more breastfeeding-friendly facilities will be installed in public areas in Perak. The Perak local housing and government committee chairman stated that these facilities will be included in the gender-responsive budget. She acknowledged that while some malls and rest & relaxation (R&R) areas already have designated breastfeeding areas, there is still room for improvement. Ng suggested that, during the budget preparation, the state should consider the needs of breastfeeding mothers and add more breastfeeding-friendly facilities in recreational areas and public transportation hubs. She made these remarks during the launch of the Perak Breastfeeding Fun Run at the Ipoh at MBI Square on Sunday (Aug 27).
In 2022, the Gender Budget Group, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry, launched the first cohort of Gender Responsive Budgeting in Practice. This initiative involved representatives from the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, as well as the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, and aimed to ensure a gender-equitable distribution of resources.
On Aug 8, Dr Milton Lum, former Federation of Private Medical Practitioners and Associations and Malaysian Medical Association, expressed the view that women should not have to choose between breastfeeding and their jobs. He highlighted Malaysia’s responsibility, as one of the WHO’s World Health Assembly vice presidents, to set an example by making breastfeeding at work feasible.
A gender-responsive budget aims to ensure equal opportunities for all through an inclusive budget that provides a gender-equitable distribution of resources.
Ng emphasized the need for local councils to actively support breastfeeding mothers. She suggested that programs like fun runs can help raise awareness and understanding. Ng urged local councils to promote the importance of breastfeeding, as it not only benefits infants but also aids mothers in recovering after childbirth. She also stated that local councils can incorporate proper planning for facilities and environments that support breastfeeding mothers when budgeting for the city’s development.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
