MEF supports women empowerment and gender equality

PETALING JAYA - The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) held a National Summit on Women on March 13 in conjunction with International Women's Day (IWD).

The summit was attended by nearly 200 guests from various industries and aims to celebrate women leadership achievements, elevate women's critical contribution to nation-building and support IWD's theme of a diverse, equitable and inclusive world.

The event held at M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur was officiated by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri who had also delivered a keynote address on the Unity Government 's Agenda on Women, Family & Community Development in Malaysia.

During her speech, Nancy emphasised the importance of maintaining open and meaningful communication between the ministry and employers’ communities.

"By sharing expertise and knowledge, we can work together to find solutions to the challenges that women face in the workplace," Nancy said.

"The ministry is committed to providing women with education and training opportunities to enhance their skills and leadership abilities, enabling them to remain actively involved in the job market," she added.

Nancy also recognised MEF's role in supporting this vision.

"Creating a conducive ecosystem that supports the needs and priorities of women is essential for achieving this goal," she pointed out.

"Through our partnership with MEF, we can work towards creating a more equal and supportive workplace for women," she added.

MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman in his welcoming speech which was delivered by his vice-president Mohd Syukri Ahmad Sudari, stated that MEF being a central organisation of employers in Malaysia supports equal opportunity and promotes merit and performance.

He further stressed that MEF rejects any form of discrimination and treats every citizen as equal.

"The importance of women in life is so great that without their guidance from the time we are infants, no gender or nation can achieve success," he said.

"Our lives are shaped by our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters, so a women's contributions to nation building must be honoured and recognised," he added.

Dr Syed Hussain stressed that MEF as a leading employer organisation in Malaysia is dedicated to promoting the rights and interests of employers and believe that women hold a significant place in this narrative.

"The organisation will continue to recognise the contributions of women leaders, engage in thought-provoking discussions on women's rights, and explore ways to create a more inclusive workplace environment," he said.

The summit witnessed presentations from four distinguished speakers and women leaders in Malaysia including High Court Judge Evrol Mariette Peters, Maybank Berhad group chief human capital officer Datuk Nora Manaf, lawyer and human rights advocate Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Yuenmei Wong from the International Labour Organisation.

They shared their personal convictions and experiences on the role of women as the driving force in building the future and digital economy of Malaysia.