“Real empowerment includes leadership in workplaces and politics.” - Datuk Wong You Fong
Wong: Legal and social reform vital to increase female participation in job market
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs comprehensive strategies to cultivate talents in artificial intelligence (AI) to realise its ambition of becoming an AI-centric nation by 2030, says Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong (pic).
“Developed countries have long integrated AI into their university curricula, underscoring the necessity for thorough planning,” she said in an interview yesterday.
With Malaysia’s progress in gender equality in education, where women now account for over 50% of university students, Wong said the nation can build on this achievement by creating dedicated AI faculties within universities to develop a skilled workforce.
“We need to set a target for how many AI specialists we can produce at higher education levels within the next five years,” she said.
Wong added that increased female labour market participation could boost the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), as women are a crucial element of the labour force.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia aims to become an AI-centric nation by 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
The initiative seeks to position Malaysia as a leader in digital technology in South-East Asia, focusing on AI integration, digital infrastructure and boosting the economy through technology.
He also said the 13MP aims to raise female labour force participation to 60% by 2030, with measures including expanded childcare, reskilling and gender-inclusive workplace initiatives.
He said the five-year roadmap seeks to create a more inclusive workforce, especially for mothers and women returning to work.
Wong said the government’s target of 60% female labour force participation by 2030 is “a solid step forward”.
“However, we need support that extends beyond urban professional women to include rural, low-income and minority women.
“We must reach across poverty and geography,” she said.
Wong also called for increased leadership roles and political representation to address women’s empowerment beyond job numbers.
“Real empowerment includes leadership in workplaces and politics. There should be at least 30% women in leadership positions.”
Wong also highlighted the urgency of legal reforms, pressing for the criminalisation of marital rape, reform of maintenance orders, the passing of an Anti-Discrimination Against Women Bill and an end to child marriage and unilateral conversion of minors.
She also said there are “necessary but insufficient” efforts on flexible work and childcare, calling for combining flexible work with fair pay, career progression and robust anti-harassment frameworks, particularly in gig and digital sectors.
“Data-driven follow-up is important. We need periodic progress tracking to ensure equitable outcomes for all women, including rural, single mothers, disabled women and minority communities.”
On efforts to address gender inequalities, she noted a petition launched in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Malaysia’s signing of Cedaw (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).
“It is important to focus on areas that have not yet achieved equality, despite years of advocacy,” she added.
Engender Consultancy founder and principal consultant Omna-Sreeni Ong said the 13MP’s Kasih Keluarga Negara framework, which introduces gender impact assessments (GIAs) and gender audits, is a potential game-changer in increasing women participation in the workforce.
“GIAs are essential for evaluating how policies and projects impact different groups of women and men, ensuring equitable outcomes and opportunities.
“For example, a policy aimed at promoting economic growth might unintentionally exclude women if it doesn’t address their specific barriers to accessing education, training or financial resources,” she added.
Omna-Sreeni, who also co-chairs the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance, said GIAs implementation requires capacity building across all ministries and agencies, a process that is already underway with resources providing GIA training to ministries and leaders.
