Improving gender equality at work
(From left) LeadWomen consulting and client services manager Liza Liew, Gatehouse, Wong and Baum launching WEPsCAL.
TalentCorp, UN Women and LeadWomen launched Women's Empowerment Principles Corporate Action Lab (WEPsCAL) to address gender inequality at the workplace.
The programme is supported by the Australian department of foreign affairs and trade.
Malaysia is the first among four implementing countries to launch the WEPs Corporate Action Lab.
TalentCorp chair Wong Shu Qi said the government was committed to supporting gender-inclusive workplaces with new tax incentives proposed in Budget 2025.
'Businesses that hire women returning to the workforce and offer up to 12 months of paid care leave will qualify for 50% tax deductions for implementing flexible work arrangements,' said Wong.
She said such an incentive was designed to reduce barriers for both women and businesses.
'We want to make it easier for companies to do the right thing and support women at every career stage.'
She said the partnership marked a pivotal milestone in the collective commitment to empower women across the country.
She also noted that the government aimed to accelerate progress towards achieving a 60% women labour participation rate from the present 56.3%, creating family-friendly workplaces that support women's return, retention and advancement as well as ensuring equal opportunities for women to contribute and thrive in the workforce.
'We need structural changes, not just slogans.
'WEPsCAL is one step towards unlocking the full potential of Malaysian women in the workforce,' she added.
Australian High Commission political and economic counsellor Clare Gatehouse said Malaysian women spent about five hours a day on unpaid care and household work while men on average only spent one hour.
'Women in Malaysia still earn only 80sen for every ringgit earned by men in similar roles.
'Therefore, gender equality benefits everyone because it's a driver of economic growth, cohesion and national well-being,' she said during the event.
Eleven companies from diverse industries will be part of the programme.
UN Women Asia-Pacific women's economic empowerment programme specialist Amy Baum said WEPsCAL was more than just policy statements, adding that it covered action, measurement and accountability.
'We'll be tracking outcomes, return on investment, and sharing case studies so others can follow.'
She said the Women's Empowerment Principles Forum to be held in October here would gather business leaders, regulators and government representatives who would evaluate progress and discuss broader regional strategies.
'We'll be working and showcasing what we're doing through the Action Labs in Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
'We'll have regulators and exchanges joining us to showcase what they are doing in the Lab to ensure that we are moving forward,' Baum added.
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