Harnessing AWES-ome female talent
Empowering move: Tengku Zafrul and Women Leadership Foundation founder and chairman Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim jointly launching the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean's first Women's Economic Empowerment Centre (AWES), which will make economic potential and opportunities accessible to all including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth and women, will be set up in Kuala Lumpur.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said this aligns with the theme of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean this year, which is 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
'In short, as Asean Chair for 2025, we are placing inclusive growth at the heart of South-East Asia's policies,' he said at the Asean Women Economic Summit, Bernama reported.
Tengku Zafrul said while challenges facing the association's individual countries are unique, efforts must be made to ensure region-wide solutions.
'This is where AWES can play a stronger role and as Asean Chair, Malaysia looks forward to the centre,' he said.
Tengku Zafrul hoped the centre would generate quick wins to create gender-inclusive standards and policies, as well as improve access to finance for the region.
'If we were to create a US$1bil (RM4.24bil) fund for Asean, how should it be governed to ensure broad-based impact, transparency and access for women-led businesses?
'A lot of work lies ahead. One summit alone won't solve all the challenges facing women. But the centre contributes to a worthy cause that has been championed for decades,' he added.
Acknowledging that the odds are often stacked against women, he said Asean could reverse this by creating an environment for women to survive, thrive, enter or re-enter the workforce, start or sustain businesses and avoid having to choose between motherhood and a career.
'This is the roadmap for Malaysia and Asean's future prosperity,' he said.
Sharing Malaysia's experience, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's Madani Economy framework emphasises sustainability, prosperity and inclusivity, and places women's empowerment at the heart of national development.
In his own ministry, various concrete measures have been implemented, including introducing gender-responsive provisions in all new trade agreements and establishing a RM200mil fund specifically for women entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors.
'I should also add that in my ministry, women make up around 69% of the top management. Our chief negotiator on US tariffs, and one of our deputy secretary-generals is a lady.
'We also have many others who are highly experienced,' he added.
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