The Women’s Summit was launched by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (then known as the Ministry of Women and Family Development) in 2003 to discuss critical issues affecting women’s role and status in the workplace. Since then, the Summit has been held every year in conjunction with National Women’s Day on August 25.  It is an eagerly anticipated focal point for discussing pertinent issues that impact women and their role in nation building.

The objectives of the Women’s Summit are threefold:

- To explore contemporary issues and top management concerns facing Malaysian women in business and the workplace

- To develop an action agenda to optimise women’s skills and management expertise for national development

- To provide input for policy directions

There has been a natural progression of Summit themes over the years. From a general theme of Women@Work (2003), the Summit turned to women leaders in 2004, with the theme Women in Leadership: Towards Excellence. This was followed by a Summit concentrating on the younger generation, Managing and Nurturing the Next Generation. 

In 2006, the theme tackled a very pertinent question that underlies any effort to create an equitable workforce: Are Women Ready for Key Positions? Choices, Chances & Challenges.

Click here to read more about The Women’s Summit 2006. 

In 2007, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Independence, the Summit became an opportunity to appreciate how far women have come over the past five decades and how far we have yet to go. With the theme, Putting Women at the Heart of Development. The Summit was preceded by meetings in which the Minister and senior officers of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development met with a cross section of women to discuss the challenges they face in their daily lives as they try to make their way in the world as career women, mothers and daughters.

Although women in Malaysia are today, more highly qualified than ever, and the workplace is becoming more inclusive with greater opportunities for women to attain roles in management and leadership, women continue to be faced with the same difficult choice between prioritising the demands of home and family versus work and career.

Malaysian women are active across all economic, social and political sectors. However their efficacy can be greatly enhanced if they can operate in environments that allow them to play their roles as managers and leaders while adequately meeting the demands of home and family.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the 2007 Summit Focus Groups and Roundtable was the strong support voiced by male participants for work-life balance. Male employees have the same desire to be available to their families and actively engaged in the lives of their children. And as more and more households are supported by working parents, the sessions confirmed that the needs and expectations of employees are changing, and therefore policies and structures need to be adapted to suit these developments.  

In 2008, The Womens Summit is pleased to have the opportunity to engage more male speakers from the corporate sector and other highly-accomplished women speakers to weigh in on how they see the workplace changing, and how we can adapt to changing needs and expectations, appropriate new technologies and systems, and face the challenges of globalisation.

Input into The Women’s Summit actually begins with the Pre-Summit Focus Groups. This year, two meetings are scheduled. A Generation Y Focus Group to capture the views of the next generation of workers (aged 20 - 35) will be held on July 29th 2008, from 6.00 - 8.00 pm at Dewan Nur at the Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development.  

A second Focus Group, will be held on July 31 2008 from 10.00 am - 12.00 pm at the same venue on and will include participants from NGOs, SMEs, HR divisions of corporations, senior managers and representatives from government agencies. Those interested in participating in the Pre-Summit Focus Groups are encouraged to apply to write in to info@thewomenssummit.org. All participants at the Pre-Summit Focus Groups will be expected to attend the Summit Roundtable on August 21 2008.        

Over the years the Malaysian Government has channelled significant budget allocations via the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to ensure that women are enabled to reach their full potential. We hope to build upon our past successes and keep up the momentum to ensure continued progress.Register early to be a part of this year’s Women’s Summit. For more information, write into thewomenssummit@capitalcomm.com.my or call 79547030.