‘Do not neglect our well-being'

KUALA LUMPUR: As women shoulder growing responsibilities in the workplace and at home, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is calling for focus on mental health and work-life balance to avoid burnout.
Speaking at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025, the Prime Minister's wife and former deputy prime minister stressed that true progress means not just economic empowerment, but also shared family duties and emotional well-being – areas often overlooked in the push for gender equality.
'Despite our hectic work schedules, we must not neglect our well-being, including mental health, in the pursuit of work-life balance.
'Achieving this balance involves dedication to personal growth and development to enhance professional skills while nurturing spiritual and emotional well-being,' she said in her opening speech at the event yesterday, which was attended by women leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers from across the region.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is the Bandar Tun Razak MP, noted that work-life balance, however, remains a challenge for working parents who lack the extra support to afford living costs, manage careers and maintain good parenting.
'Yes, we want more women to contribute to the economy, yet we must also remind ourselves that caring for the family is a shared responsibility.
'Both parents should actively participate in the emotional, physical and logistical aspects of raising children and sharing household duties,' she said, adding that the balance may not always be equal but should be based on mutual understanding and tolerance.
Speaking from her experience, Dr Wan Azizah called on parents not to take for granted the responsibility of taking care of our families.
'This responsibility extends beyond the visible and direct expenses. Unpaid care work, household management and emotional support have substantial economic value, but they are not quantifiable.
'Whether we realise it or not, the 'profits' can only be 'sown' in perhaps 20 years' time,' she said.
In her address, Dr Wan Azizah said the concept of the 'SHEconomy' is a testament to the growing influence of women in shaping economic narratives.
She said the forum's theme, 'Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of Asean SHEconomy', resonated deeply with her vision of leadership, inclusivity and cross-border collaboration.
'I believe this forum can highlight women's roles in advancing technology, sustainability, trade, and governance,' she said, expressing her hope that the dialogues will translate into actionable commitments and partnerships.
'Let us commit ourselves wholeheartedly to building a world where gender ceases to be a barrier to success and where every woman has the opportunity to shine,' she added.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong, who was at the event, called for urgent measures to enhance female participation in Malaysia's economy.
He said there is a need for equal opportunities for women across all aspects of life, noting a discrepancy between women's educational attainment and their workforce participation.
'Although 65% of our public university students are women, the female labour participation rate lags at 56%, compared to 82.9% for men. This is a challenge we must overcome for Malaysia to thrive,' he said.
Despite successes like women holding 58% of civil service jobs and 42% of decision-making positions, Liew identified barriers such as reliance on cheap foreign labour and inadequate childcare services.
'We need to change this. By moving our economy up the value chain, we can attract more skilled women into the formal labour market,' he said.
The opening ceremony also saw several notable awards presented to deserving leaders and entrepreneurs.
Among the awards presented were the Women of the Decade, Leaders of the Decade, Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All, and Exceptional Women of Excellence.
Taking place until June 21, the three-day WEF Asean 2025 is organised by Yayasan Bina Kesejahteraan with the support of the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
The forum focuses on efforts to create a cross-border economic ecosystem, emphasising dignity, inclusivity and data-driven policies, with gender equality as a core principle.
Fireside chats, plenary sessions, workshops, roundtable meetings and WEF Awards will take place throughout the days before culminating in a closing ceremony tomorrow.

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