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MWGF 2024: Women & Nation-building 
PROGRAMME

8.30 AM 

Delegate Registration & Breakfast

9:30 AM

Malaysia National Anthem 

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)  Country Representative Malaysia & Country Director Thailand

9:40 AM

Opening Address

Ms. Karima El Korri, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam 

9:45 AM

MWGF LAUNCH & KEYNOTE 1: Building the Foundations Towards a Gender Equal Malaysia  

YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family & Community Development (KPWKM)

10:05 AM

Secretariat Remarks

Tehmina Kaoosji, MWGF Head of Secretariat  

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

PLENARY 1: Female Representation in Public Life

Overview:

 

Female representation in public life is crucial for fostering gender equality and empowering nations. When women participate actively in public and political spheres, they influence decisions and policies that affect their lives and communities, resulting in more inclusive policy making with positive knock-on effects on the country as a whole. 

 

This session aims to highlight women’s powerful role in the growth, health and functioning of our population and societies, and the key role they play in national development and nation building more broadly. 

 

The discussion will also cover barriers that hinder female participation in public life, including enduring societal stereotypes and gendered expectations, structural challenges and access gaps for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), while highlighting essential changes to ensure women's full participation in Malaysia’s political, social and economic sectors. 

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Panellists: ​

  • YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Member of Parliament, Bukit Bendera, 

  • Anne Lasimbang, Executive Director, PACOS Trust 

  • TBC 

  • Pauline Ho, Corporate Sustainability & Net Zero Leader, PwC Malaysia, Steering Committee Member, 30% Club Malaysia

 

Moderator:

Mediha Mahmood, CEO, Communications & Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia 

​

11:30 AM - 12:10 PM

KEYNOTE 2: Challenges for Women in Political Leadership in Malaysia

Overview:

​

Despite the attainment of gender parity in education alongside moderate progress in economic empowerment, Malaysia’s women still lag behind severely in the realm of political participation - to the detriment of gender inclusive nation building and our country’s sustainable development. 

 

This keynote session explores the main factors that drive Malaysia’s enduring Gender Gap in political representation and female leadership, highlighting key challenges faced by our women - both in history and the present day - that have kept them from attaining positions of leadership. Against this backdrop, several strategies are discussed to accelerate women’s leadership in politics; e.g. through legislation, strengthening party structures and more. 
 

Speaker:  ​

  • Associate Professor Dr Sharifah Syahirah Syed Syeikh, Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)

 

Moderator:

Emellia Shariff, Managing Partner, Speak Up Malaysia, Anti-Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Expert

12:15 PM to 1:45 PM

Lunch Break

Lunch & Networking

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

PLENARY 2: In Conversation with Malaysia’s Female Nation Builders 

This session brings together Malaysia’s trailblazing women with key Ministerial portfolios  -  to examine the challenges and opportunities for women in political leadership. 

 

Drawing from our panellists’ illustrious careers in governance, education, legislation and policy making, this insightful panel discussion explores structural and cultural barriers which women navigate to attain equity in nation building. 


Ultimately, through understanding the lived realities faced by Malaysia’s female leaders, we ask: what can be done to break these barriers to ensure women and men can participate equally in shaping our nation’s present and future?​

 

Panellists: ​

  • YB Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education Malaysia,

  • YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications 

  • (TBC)

  • (TBC)
     

Moderator:
Tehmina Kaoosji, Independent Broadcast Journalist, Partner & Communications Director,  The Big Picture (TBP) Communications

​​

2:30 PM - 3:10 PM

KEYNOTE 3: Gender Equality and the Law 

Overview:

 

A nation is defined by its laws and its Constitution. Malaysian laws codify the rights of its citizens, and thus shape how society functions. However Malaysian law still retains the legacy of its colonial past, and historically this realm has largely been dominated by men. How have these legacies influenced Malaysian laws that exist today, especially with regards to critical issues such as gender equality, equal citizenship and bodily autonomy? Why were these laws created, and more importantly, how can we begin to move towards crafting new laws that allow for a truly inclusive Malaysia?

​

Speaker:  ​

  • Latheefa Koya, Co- founder & Advisor, Lawyers for Liberty

 

Moderator:

Brenda Rangithan - Co-Chair, Gender Equality & Diversity Committee, KL Bar; Advocate & Solicitor, Mohanadass Partnership

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM

PLENARY 3: Making the Change: Navigating Towards an Inclusive Future for Malaysia

Overview:

​

What would an inclusive Malaysia look like? What will women’s futures look like in an ageing nation? How can we centre the voices of marginalised women in our disabled, rural and indigenous communities? What can the youth and the media do to break outdated norms that hold women back? 

 

In this session, our diverse panel of speakers will reflect on these questions, and share their hopes and aspirations for an inclusive Malaysia.

 

Panellists: ​

  • Kusaaliny Mahendran, Councillor, National Executive Council Member, DAPSY Malaysia

  • Sean Augustin, Editor, Free Malaysia Today  

  • Aroe Ajoeni, Co-Founder & Communications Head, KAMY- Klima Action Malaysia 

  • Aveena Devi, Mixed Media Artist, Author & Motivational Speaker

 

Moderator:

Benedict Weerasena, Research Director, Bait Al Amanah (House of Trust)

​

4:10 PM - 4:20 PM

MWGF 2024 - Resolutions 

Presenter: Tehmina Kaoosji, MWGF Head of Secretariat  

4:20 PM

Special Keynote & Closing of MWGF 2024 (tbc)

YAB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia & Minister of Rural and Regional Development 

4:20 PM - 5:00 PM

Tea & Networking

Brought to you by:

Secretariat & Producer:

Media Partners

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