BUKIT MERTAJAM: The government will intensify efforts to bring more women, particularly housewives, back into the workforce by expanding upskilling and reskilling programmes nationwide, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying (pic).
She said the initiatives are aimed at boosting the country’s female labour force participation rate, which currently stands at 56.9% at the national level.
“Although the increase needed to reach our 60% target may appear small, it is not easy to achieve.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, and we will continue to strengthen our efforts to meet this target by 2033,”she told reporters after attending the state-level celebration of International Women’s Day at Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) headquarters.
Lim said the government, in collaboration with the private sector, is focusing on training programmes to help women re-enter employment, with particular emphasis on housewives who wish to return to work.
She said these efforts will be implemented under the Women’s Development Plan.
She said that the government is pushing hard to meet the target within the next four years, noting that concerted and sustained efforts are already underway.
Clarifying the figures, Lim said the 56.9% participation rate refers specifically to women in the workforce and does not exceed male participation, which remains higher.
“It means that 56.9% of the total female population is currently working. However, this figure only covers those registered in the formal sector,” she said, adding that many women are still engaged in the informal sector.
Lim said the government will strengthen initiatives within the care economy, particularly in the caregiving industry, to create more opportunities for women, including housewives, to participate in the workforce.
Present during the celebration were MBSP Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid and Women’s Development Department deputy director-general Dr Faridah Awang.
Earlier in her speech, Lim said Penang recorded a strong and encouraging rise in the female labour force participation rate, increasing from 46.7% in 2022 to 47.3% in 2023, before jumping significantly to 57.6% in 2024.
She said this upward trend reflects Penang’s status as a key hub for industry, technology, education and the creative economy, and underscores the reality that the state’s continued progress is inseparable from the active and meaningful participation of women in the workforce.
"Penang has produced many outstanding women across a wide range of fields, including leadership, education, culture, social entrepreneurship and the creative industries," she said.
Lim said the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration, "Memartabat Wanita, Memperkukuh Negara”, reflects the need for focused, sustained and inclusive efforts through improved policies, programmes and initiatives that deliver direct impact on the lives of women at all levels.
About 200 participants, comprising civil servants, representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women’s associations, attended the programme, which featured a series of talks and forum discussions.
