PETALING JAYA: Economic independence is key to boosting women’s participation in leadership roles in all sectors, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
This is something that the ministry is working to build on with its Women’s Leadership Apprenticeship Programme (Perantis), Nancy told Sunday Star in an exclusive interview in conjunction with International Women’s Day today.
Managed by the Women’s Development Department, the initiative empowers women by providing the training, guidance, and practical experience necessary to sharpen their leadership skills.
Initially, Perantis was designed to bolster women’s political leadership; nevertheless, Nancy noted that the programme has taken an unexpected turn to focus more on the economic and social spheres.
“With Perantis, I can provide women the opportunity to participate in politics as leaders, but the programme has unexpectedly shifted its focus towards economic activities.
“We have identified many women paving their way to economic independence – a crucial form of leadership in itself. However, our ultimate goal remains their representation in governance, and we will continue to strive for that,” she said.
Nancy noted that Perantis is now spurring the Orange Economy, which refers to the country’s growing creative and cultural sector, by positioning women at the forefront of innovation.
Nancy said the priority right now is to ensure that everyone is provided the opportunity so that they can showcase their niche.
Acknowledging a gap between how the programme is promoted and how it is perceived, Nancy emphasised the need for a tailored approach.
“Because some don’t yet know how to engage with us, I make a point of listening patiently to uncover their true potential,” she said.
Additionally, Nancy discussed the key challenges encountered in encouraging more women to engage in the decision-making process, particularly in relation to policy-making.
“Oftentimes we get asked if the government is doing enough. Their views may be valid, as we may not have sufficiently addressed the issue, or perhaps this is an area where leadership is necessary.
“For example, through our programmes at universities, we want students to understand our initiatives by engaging in discussions with each other or in groups. And I know we cannot cover it all at once, but the goal of advocacy is to see the impact from the programmes,” she said.
In January 2025, Nancy said that 100 female leaders from various professional backgrounds nationwide were expected to participate in the Perantis programme this year.
Each of them would receive up to RM50,000 to undertake leadership development programmes in their respective fields.
By investing in initiatives like Perantis, Nancy said they are laying the foundation and creating an environment for the future to enable women to lead with strength, resilience and innovation.
In 2024 a total of 1,247 participants were mentored by 25 figures in 10 selected fields through the programme.
