Latest news with #ASEAN2025
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Bernama CEO Receives Women Of The Decade Award At WEF ASEAN 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin was among the recipients of the Women of the Decade award at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025. WEF ASEAN 2025 president Datin Dr Hartini Osman, speaking on the sidelines of the event, said the award honours Nur-ul Afida's leadership and steadfast commitment to the advancement of the media industry. "On behalf of WEF, we congratulate Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida. She was conferred the Women of the Decade award in recognition of her potential and the significant achievements she has made in her field of leadership. 'With this award, we hope it will further inspire her to continue elevating the role of women, not only in Malaysia but globally,' she told Bernama at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) today. Nur-ul Afida was appointed CEO of Bernama on February 27 last year. Before that, in October 2023, she made history as the first woman to be appointed editor-in-chief of the national news agency since its establishment in 1967. A well-recognised figure in Malaysian journalism, Nur-ul Afida was appointed to the Administrative Council of the Malaysian Press Institute on May 16 last year. In recognition of her trailblazing leadership and role in inspiring a new generation of women in journalism, she was honoured with the Luminary Media Award by the National Press Club at its Diamond Jubilee Awards ceremony on Sept 27, 2023. Nur-ul Afida was, however, unable to attend today's award presentation by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as she is currently in St. Petersburg, Russia, attending the General Assembly of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies. Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida expressed her gratitude and pride at receiving such a significant honour, thanking the WEF organisers for recognising her capabilities in leading the news agency.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Empowering women key to driving ASEAN's sheconomy
KUALA LUMPUR: 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. Maimunah added that the private sector plays a crucial role in unlocking the potential of the 'sheconomy' by elevating women into leadership positions, fostering inclusive innovation, and building supportive workplace cultures. 'Gender-smart investing, mentorship programmes and targeted support for women-led start-ups, particularly in the green and digital sectors, are how we activate 'sheconomy'. 'Academia plays its part too by producing gender-inhibited data, training women in STEM and governance, and documenting what works. Communities must be empowered. Women entrepreneurs, mothers, and youth must be recognised, not just as participants, but as planners and leaders,' she said. Maimunah, the first female mayor of Kuala Lumpur said since joining DBKL in August last year, significant strides had been made in closing the leadership gap. Currently, women make up 29.3 per cent of total DBKL staff, 43.6 per cent of professionals, 44 per cent of department heads and 40 per cent of top management, surpassing the 30 per cent benchmark. Earlier at the WEF ASEAN 2025, Maimunah was conferred the 'Women of the Decade' award alongside Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. Themed Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy, the three-day forum starting today, celebrates women's transformative role in driving global economic growth. The WEF ASEAN 2025 which brings together influential women leaders from across the region and beyond, offers participants the opportunity to engage in impactful discussions, forge powerful networks, and explore new pathways for women to shape the future of the global economy.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
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.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Bernama CEO Receives ‘Women Of The Decade' Honour At WEF ASEAN 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin was among the recipients of the Women of the Decade award at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025. WEF ASEAN 2025 president Datin Dr Hartini Osman, speaking on the sidelines of the event, said the award honours Nur-ul Afida's leadership and steadfast commitment to the advancement of the media industry. "On behalf of WEF, we congratulate Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida. She was conferred the Women of the Decade award in recognition of her potential and the significant achievements she has made in her field of leadership. 'With this award, we hope it will further inspire her to continue elevating the role of women, not only in Malaysia but globally,' she told Bernama at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) today. Nur-ul Afida was appointed CEO of Bernama on February 27 last year. Before that, in October 2023, she made history as the first woman to be appointed editor-in-chief of the national news agency since its establishment in 1967. A well-recognised figure in Malaysian journalism, Nur-ul Afida was appointed to the Administrative Council of the Malaysian Press Institute on May 16 last year. In recognition of her trailblazing leadership and role in inspiring a new generation of women in journalism, she was honoured with the Luminary Media Award by the National Press Club at its Diamond Jubilee Awards ceremony on Sept 27, 2023. Nur-ul Afida was, however, unable to attend today's award presentation by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as she is currently in St. Petersburg, Russia, attending the General Assembly of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies. At the event, Dr Wan Azizah also presented the Women of the Decade award to Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and former Communications and Multimedia Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Wan Azizah urges concrete action for women's economic empowerment
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to empower women must go beyond dialogue and be translated into concrete commitments, such as corporate pledges and government partnerships. Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of the Prime Minister, urged leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to work together in building inclusive growth through shared leadership and cross-border collaboration. 'It is an honour for me to stand among such remarkable women. Your vision, generosity, and dedication to making a difference are not only admirable but also a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together,' she said in her keynote address at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 here today. Also present were Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong; Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad; WEF ASEAN 2025 Organising Chairperson Datin Dr Hartini Osman; and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Dr Wan Azizah said the WEF operated with a global perspective while remaining grounded in its mission as a non-profit movement, which she described as a form of public diplomacy aimed at uplifting women across sectors such as sustainability, governance, technology and trade. 'In this context, the movement has been referred to as the Sheconomy, a powerful acknowledgement of the growing influence of women in shaping economic narratives,' she said, expressing hope that the forum will inspire real outcomes. In addition, she said that without proper monitoring and self-awareness, technological advancements could erode meaningful relationships, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, potentially leading to isolation and abuse, underscoring the need to address their social impact. Dr Wan Azizah also highlighted the importance of work-life balance, saying that while society wanted more women to participate in the economy, it must also recognise caregiving as a shared responsibility. 'It may not always be a 50-50 split, but it depends on mutual understanding, powers and capabilities of both parents. Unpaid care, home management, and emotional support have substantial economic value, but they are not quantifiable. We can't put a price on that,' she said. Sharing a personal reflection as a mother and wife, she reminded the audience not to lose sight of the emotional and personal cost of balancing career and family life. 'Sometimes we forget. We often take for granted the responsibility of caring for our families. Let us commit ourselves wholeheartedly to building a world where gender no longer serves as a barrier to success and everyone has the opportunity to shine. Every woman has an opportunity to shine,' she said. Themed 'Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy', the three-day forum celebrates the transformative role of women in driving global economic growth. Focusing on cross-border collaboration, leadership, and innovation, WEF ASEAN 2025 showcases success stories and strategies that highlight the power of women-led sustainable development. The WEF ASEAN 2025 brings together influential women leaders from across the region and beyond, offering participants the opportunity to engage in impactful discussions, forge powerful networks, and explore new pathways for women to shape the future of the global economy.
