Malaysia: Women's Entrepreneurship and Leadership

February 2 - 5, 2013

About Malaysia

Malaysia has seen major growth in women inclusion. Women enrolment in universities outnumbers men by about 25%, a huge increase since the 1980s [1]. The effects of the increase in women graduates can be seen in the workforce level ratio, as it is now 50:50 between men and women [1]. The women workforce in Malaysia has increased by about 750,000 women since 2010 [1]. Malaysia is actively working to include women into more leadership roles as it acknowledges the importance of having a diverse work environment. As they transition from a resource based economy to manufacturing and services, Malaysia hopes to capitalize on both genders. The government has announced formal targets for women inclusion in businesses to promote the matter. In 2015, Bursa required companies to disclose their diversity policy to ensure they are meeting, or working towards set targets [2]. Malaysia has made remarkable progress and has great future potential for both men and women as more jobs open, pay gaps decline and the economy grows [3].

About the Program

The IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Over the last 70 years, the IVLP has developed into the premier professional exchange program in the U.S. and brings over 200 emerging leaders to Jacksonville every year.

[1] https://leaderonomics.com/leadership/facts-fiction-womens-agenda

[2]http://www.marketing-interactive.com/women-bosses-rise-malaysias-advertising-scene/

[3]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15356257