UN launches initiative for empowerment of Malaysian women

Initiative aims to advance gender equality, foster family-friendly workplaces 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – UN Women, LeadWomen, and TalentCorp have launched the inaugural Malaysia Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Corporate Action Lab. 

This initiative is a signature program under the UN Women Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in Asia-Pacific platform, and is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The WEPs Corporate Action Lab (WEPsCAL) is designed to support companies in assessing current progress and utilizing data, tailored tools, and targeted support to co-create and implement actionable gender equality strategies aligned with specific WEPs focus areas.

Katja Freiwald, Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Migration, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, stressed the importance of transforming businesses and workplaces to increase women’s labor force participation and build more inclusive, resilient economies. 

“Transforming businesses and workplaces is essential to increasing women’s labor force participation and building more inclusive, resilient economies,” Freiwald said. “It’s inspiring to see Malaysia leading the way with the WEPs Corporate Action Lab’s inaugural theme, Innovating the Future of Family-Friendly Workplaces, a significant step that holds promise for scalable solutions across Asia and the Pacific.”

The launch featured a panel discussion on the importance of public-private collaboration in creating family-friendly workplaces to support the return, retention, and success of women in the workplace. 

Clare Gatehouse, Political and Economic Counselor, Australian High Commission to Malaysia, highlighted the benefits of gender equality, stating, “Gender equality benefits everyone.

It drives economic growth, enhances social cohesion, and increases the well-being of all members of society. Australia is proud to champion this innovative program supporting practical, private sector-led solutions for boosting women’s economic participation.”

YB Ms. Wong Shu Qi, TalentCorp Board of Directors Chairperson, stressed TalentCorp’s commitment to empowering women, saying, “TalentCorp is proud to champion this initiative, working with partners to break down barriers and build pathways that enable women to balance careers and caregiving responsibilities, unlocking their full potential and shaping a future where gender equality drives national prosperity.”