Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 opened in Kuala Lumpur on June 19 under the theme “Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Shec꧂onomy”, celebrating the transformative role of women in driving regional economic growth.

At the event, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, called on leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to work together in building inclusive growth through shared leadership and cross-border collaboration. She also emphasised that efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships. Dr Wan Azizah said the WEF operated with a global perspective while remaining grounded in its mission as a non-profit movement, which she described as a form of public diplomacy aimed at uplifting women across sectors such as sustainability, governance, technology and trade. In this context, the movement has been referred to as the Sheconomy, a powerful acknowledgement of the growing influence of women in shaping economic narratives, she said, expressing hope that the forum will inspire real outcomes. She also highlighted the importance of work-life balance, saying that while society wants more women to participate in the economy, it must also recognise caregiving as a shared responsibility. Malaysia’s current women's labour force participation rate stands at 56%, as compared to the 82.9% rate for men and below many Southeast Asian economies, according to Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong. However, the country has achieved notable progress in key areas, with women comprising 58% of civil servants and holding 42% of decision-making positions in the public sector, a remarkable achievement for a developing nation. Running through June 21, the forum focuses on cross-border collaboration, leadership, and innovation while showcasing success stories and strategies that highlight the power of women-led sustainable development. Official statistics reveal that ASEAN is home to 334 million women, and harnessing the talents of this community could unlock an estimated 2.3 trillion USD in economic value./.