Latest news with #WomenEconomicForum
The Star
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
‘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.
Barnama
a day 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.
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.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Dr Wan Azizah: Empower women with concrete actions, not just words
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 (picture), 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. — BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Empower women with concrete actions, not just words
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.
