KUALA LUMPUR: The female labour force participation rate in the country has now reached 56%, and the government is targeting an increase to 60% by 2030, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Nancy said this target cannot be achieved by the ministry alone but requires the commitment of all parties, including state governments.
"Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has played its part through initiatives such as providing childcare subsidies to encourage more women to join the workforce," she told reporters after officiating the National Women's Agenda Forum (FAWN) 2025 and launching the book 30 Years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) here on Tuesday (Sept 30).
Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff and Women's Development Department director-general Hanani Sapi.
At the same time, she said the full enforcement of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Act 840) since March 8 has provided women with greater assurance of safety in the workplace.
"Since the establishment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal (TAGS), 22 out of 45 cases filed have been resolved fairly within 60 days," she said.
Earlier in her speech, Nancy highlighted several of Malaysia's key achievements over three decades as a state party to CEDAW, including amendments to the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) to strengthen women's labour rights and the appointment of Gender Focal Points (GFP) and Gender Focal Teams (GFT) in every ministry and agency.
She said the measures aim to mainstream gender equality, alongside an interim policy that requires at least 30% of women to be in decision-making positions.
She added that Malaysian women have achieved educational parity, with the Education Attainment Sub-Index surpassing a score of 1 at 1.071 in 2023, paving the way for greater participation in the workforce.
Nancy said FAWN 2025 also aims to raise public awareness of the National Women's Policy and serve as a platform for sharing ideas to strengthen women's rights and roles in Malaysia. – Bernama
