Room for growth: While Nazreen (left) and Hafsah recognise DWN’s potential, they believe there is room for improvement in the policy.
Advocates push for stronger, more equitable women’s policy
PETALING JAYA: While the National Women’s Policy (Dasar Wanita Negara or DWN) is much-needed to spearhead the direction of women in various sectors, there are gaps that should have been identified to make it more holistic, women’s groups say.
Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Nazreen Nizam said there is limited attention to mental health and emotional well-being, particularly for survivors of violence, women carrying heavy caregiving burdens, and those experiencing significant stress in the workplace or at home.
“Although family welfare and happiness are discussed, specific strategies addressing mental health and psychosocial support for women are absent.
“Another gap I can see is digital and technological inclusion – the policy currently underemphasises women’s equal access to technology and protection from online harassment or digital violence.
“The DWN also tends to focus on entrepreneurship and professional sectors, without sufficiently acknowledging economically vulnerable women in informal sectors or gig workers who require targeted support for economic stability and social protection beyond entrepreneurship initiatives,” she said when commenting on the DWN 2025-2030.
The policy, said Nazreen, also does not sufficiently address intersectionality, particularly how issues differ for marginalised groups such as Orang Asli women, refugees, migrants, transwomen or women with disabilities, all of whom experience unique challenges.
However, she acknowledged the significant potential of DWN to contribute positively with its structured approach.
These include integrating gender-responsive budgeting and gender impact assessments into national fiscal policies, potentially resulting in more equitable resource allocation and targeted interventions, she said.
Additionally, she said, the policy’s emphasis on leadership development, professional empowerment, and entrepreneurship could also open pathways for increased economic independence and representation of women in decision-making roles, thereby challenging systemic gender inequalities.
“By strengthening support services related to family well-being and promoting better work-life balance through enhanced childcare and family support services, the policy could significantly alleviate burdens disproportionately borne by women, ultimately contributing to improved quality of women’s life.”
Women Leadership Foundation chairperson Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim noted that the DWN’s focus on gender-responsive budgeting, leadership pipelines, and inclusivity in decision-making reflects a commitment to long-term structural change for women in Malaysia.
However, while the policy highlights critical issues, its effectiveness will depend on execution and active collaboration between the public and private sectors, she said.
“The challenge lies in bridging the gap between policy and real impact, ensuring that initiatives create measurable, sustainable progress for women beyond government-led efforts.
“Policies are only effective if they produce real change. Establishing clear key performance indexes, such as the number of women-led businesses securing funding, increases in women’s boardroom representation, or workforce participation shifts, would allow for better tracking of progress.”
In terms of enhancing economic mobility, Hafsah said there should be better support systems for women in informal sectors with access to funding and business growth opportunities.
“Initiatives such as One-Stop Centres and security frameworks provide essential safety nets for women, ensuring that economic empowerment goes hand in hand with personal security and well-being.”
