Malaysia Hosts Asia-Pacific 2025 WEPs Forum, Advancing Gender-Responsive Business

(In the middle) YB Ms. Wong Shu Qi, TalentCorp’s Chairperson together with Katja Freiwald, UN Women’s Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacifi with over 200 participants of WEPs Forum 2025

PETALING JAYA, 18 November 2025 – Malaysia strengthened its role as a regional leader in women’s economic empowerment as it hosts the Asia-Pacific 2025 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Forum at Hilton Petaling Jaya.

The two-day event, themed “Business. Innovation. Impact.”, brings together more than 200 participants from across Asia-Pacific, including corporate leaders, SMEs, regulators, policymakers, investors and civil society, to accelerate gender-responsive business practices.

Co-organised by UN Women and Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Australian Government (DFAT), the Forum reflects Malaysia’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic development.

YB Ms Wong Shu Qi, TalentCorp’s Chairperson delivering her remarks during the opening of WEPs Forum 2025

Opening the Forum, YB Wong Shu Qi, Chairperson of TalentCorp, emphasised Malaysia’s ongoing progress.

“This Forum reflects Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring women are equal partners in economic development. When women are empowered, families and communities grow stronger,” she said.

She highlighted the importance of public–private collaboration in meeting Malaysia’s 60% female labour participation target by 2030, noting that family-friendly policies and equal opportunities are essential for women to thrive.

“We are displaying this commitment by becoming a WEPs Corporate Action Lab (WEPsCAL) pioneer cohort featuring 11 companies including Air Asia, Kiddocare, FGV Holdings Berhad, Mastrak Sdn. Bhd and Sagemaker Asia to champion the theme of “Innovating the Future of Family-Friendly Workplaces where through public-private collaboration, bridging global frameworks with local implementation,” she added

Gender-Responsive Business Gains

Malaysia continues to build momentum in women’s economic participation. The female labour force participation rate has risen to 56.5% in 2024, while women now hold 28% of board seats in public-listed companies — a significant increase from 5% in 2007.

Policies under KESUMA driven by TalentCorp, such as support for flexible work and childcare, have helped narrow the gender median wage gap from RM200 in 2023 to RM18 in 2025.

YB Wong also noted that megatrends such as automation, digitalisation and AI require sustained collaboration to ensure women are not left behind in future labour markets.

A Growing Global Movement

The Forum forms part of a global push encouraging businesses to adopt the 7 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Over 10,000 companies globally, including more than 2,700 in Asia-Pacific, have committed to implementing these principles across leadership, workplace culture, and supply chains.

Katja Freiwald, UN Women’s Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific delivering her remarks

“Business, innovation and impact are no longer separate conversations,” said Katja Freiwald, UN Women’s Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific.

“Across Asia, business leaders are showing what real progress looks like, using innovation to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality. This is where the region’s strength lies -- turning equality into an engine for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Throughout the Forum, participants explore themes such as gender-inclusive workplaces, financing for women’s empowerment, bridging the digital gender divide, and measuring business progress on equality.

The Forum is expected to produce regional action commitments and strengthen cross-border collaboration among WEPs champions.

By hosting the Asia-Pacific WEPs Forum with UN Women, IFC, and DFAT, Malaysia reinforces national initiatives such as Wanita MyWira while advancing regional progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

For more information, visit www.talentcorp.com.my.

Issued by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp)

18 November 2025