Malaysia targets 63% women’s workforce participation by 2030

 

MALAYSIA aims to increase women’s labour force participation to 63% by 2030, with the government pledging greater support for female entrepreneurs and inclusive trade policies across the ASEAN region.

 

Speaking at the ASEAN Women Economic Summit (AWES) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur today, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz (picture) said that closing gender gaps in Malaysia could raise GDP by up to 8.2%, or about US$50 billion.

 

“Every 1% increase in women’s workforce participation adds RM2.2 billion to our economy,” he said, citing research which shows that companies with diverse leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their peers.

 

The target forms part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to boost national GDP and advance gender equality under the MADANI Economy framework.

 

To support these efforts, the government is launching initiatives such as a RM200 million fund for women entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors, the Women Exporters Development Programme, and the Women in Industry and Trade Initiative (WITI) in collaboration with the Women and Family Affairs Council, HAWA Malaysia.

 

He also highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in promoting inclusive trade, with gender-responsive provisions included in all new trade agreements and dedicated chapters on women’s participation being negotiated in future free trade agreements (FTAs).

 

“We must empower women to enter or re-enter the workforce, to start or sustain businesses, to not have to choose between motherhood and a career,” he added.

 

As part of ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, Malaysia is also advocating for inclusive regional growth through expanded participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth, and women. 

 

Besides that, the country has proposed the establishment of ASEAN’s first Women’s Economic Empowerment Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Tengku Zafrul emphasised that ASEAN’s potential remains untapped unless women across all member economies are enabled to lead and innovate.

“Harnessing women’s talents across ASEAN could unlock an eye-watering US$2.3 trillion economic opportunity,” he said, noting that women-led businesses demonstrate better risk management and long-term thinking in today’s volatile trade landscape.

 

He also called for stronger regional collaboration through platforms such as the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), the ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP), and the ASEAN Youth Organisation (AYO).

 

Among the proposals raised at AWES were the creation of a US$1 billion fund to support women-led businesses, the upskilling of one million women in digital economy sectors by 2027, and policy harmonisation to set gender-inclusive standards across ASEAN.

 

The Summit, which convened leaders from across the region, aims to shape practical outcomes in financing, skills development, trade facilitation and leadership pipelines to help ASEAN meet its inclusive development goals under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

 

“True leadership recognises that empowering women doesn’t diminish men — it elevates humanity,” Tengku Zafrul said.

 

He further hopes that AWES would mark a turning point in regional efforts to advance women’s empowerment and inclusive economic participation.