THE government is aiming to increase female participation in the national labour force to 60 per cent by 2030, according to the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Lim Hui Ying.
Speaking to the media today, Lim noted that women currently make up 56.9 per cent of the workforce and that the target aligns with the National Women Policy, which emphasises empowering women’s economic involvement.
“The government has introduced various programmes to ensure this goal can be achieved within the next five years,” she said.
Among the initiatives highlighted is the Wanita MyWira programme, which provides women with skills training in emerging sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, and the economies of the future. Lim said these efforts are designed to equip women with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
The government is also focusing on the development of the care economy, recognising that many women bear responsibilities for raising children, caring for the elderly, and supporting family members with special needs.
Encouraging women’s involvement in the creative and orange economy, which spans arts, culture, crafts, fashion, and digital content, is also a key priority.
Lim made these remarks while distributing approximately 2,500 carnations to members of the public at George Town’s Chowrasta Market and Cecil Market in celebration of International Women’s Day.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring women have greater access to economic opportunities and can contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
The government’s multi-faceted approach seeks not only to expand workforce participation but also to empower women as drivers of innovation and growth across both traditional and emerging sectors of the Malaysian economy. - March 8, 2026
