Empowering Women Key To Driving ASEAN's Sheconomy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- A whole-of-society approach is needed to empower women across all sectors, including governance, urban planning and the digital economy to unlock the full potential of the 'sheconomy' and drive inclusive, sustainable development in ASEAN, said Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
She said women must not only be included in decision-making spaces but also be recognised as key architects of change especially in city-level transformation where daily life is most affected.
'The 'sheconomy' is not a parallel economy. It is a reimagining of our whole economy, powered by inclusion and inclusion is not charity; it is good policy,' she said.
She said during the plenary session titled 'ASEAN Women Leading Social Change: Integrating Social Goals with Economic Growth in the 'Sheconomy', at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 here today.
Maimunah who is also a former executive director of UN-Habitat, stressed the importance of embedding gender equity into the fabric of urban governance, budgeting and service delivery.
She noted that this aligns with the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework 2021-2025 and Kuala Lumpur is localising the framework to the governance tool by ensuring housing, transport and public health policies serve women.
Maimunah also shared initiatives by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) through the Safe City Programme which includes the installation of 10,000 CCTVs and improved street lighting.
'These efforts are not just about safety, but about dignity and inclusion. We are creating safer zones, better transit and walkable neighbourhoods centred on women's mobility. In 2024, crime dropped by 15 per cent in the upgraded areas and women reported feeling safer,' she said.
Despite progress, she pointed only 10 per cent of local councils in Malaysia are led by women, calling the need to localise gender mainstreaming efforts at all levels of government.

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