Kuala Lumpur: Roads leading to the heart of Kuala Lumpur are currently lined with ASEAN and member state flags, along with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship logo and its unmistakable theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. Everybody knows the ongoing 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in the capital gather heads of state and high-ranking officials to strategise on countering sweeping US tariffs and fostering multilateral cooperation. But a deeper question pulses beneath the ceremonial surface: What does this mean for women, especially?
According to BERNAMA News Agency, women make up almost half or 49.9 per cent of ASEAN's population - at around 334 million of almost 700 million people. And for these women, the stakes go beyond geopolitics. ASEAN women are employed across various sectors, formal or informal and across the Southeast Asian region. Rightly, their voices in the halls of government, boardrooms, educational institutions, communities and homes need to be heard.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, chaired by Malaysia, conjures up a wave of regional anticipation in looking for solutions and countering challenges, such as the bloc's reaction and strategies in facing US tariffs, multilateral cooperation and fostering cooperation via the tripartite inaugural summit with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. Yet, on the sidelines of the Summit, a session featuring a trio of 'girl bosses' was expected to be a serious discussion towards ways to break the glass ceiling.
Somehow, it evolved into a heart-warming exchange of stories and shared experiences in balancing household responsibilities and a professional career. The Global Power Hour: Women Pioneering Change Across Continents session, held at the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025) - featuring UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei, Indonesia's Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, and Cambodia's Minister of Commerce Chan Nimul, also hogged the limelight besides the ASEAN and related summits. The session was moderated by Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, whose moderation deserved praise for its sensitivity and respect, letting authenticity, rather than agendas, shape the tone.
Among the many issues discussed, Chan Nimul shared that despite her experience and pivotal role in advancing Cambodia's trade agenda, she is still expected to keep her household in order. Her revelation about navigating multiple roles resonated deeply with the audience. Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri also reflected on the multi-dimensional lives of women in leadership, emphasizing the importance of empathy and flexibility in switching roles. Her insights on balancing cultural expectations and leading with empathy struck a chord with many attendees.
Perhaps ASEAN can change the narrative? While the now 10-member group focuses on trade, for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, there's this side event where a special conference on women was held. Women's labour force participation in ASEAN averages at 48 per cent, in Malaysia this is around 56.2 per cent, while in ASEAN, only 27 per cent of senior management positions are held by women.
According to Tengku Zafrul, Malaysia is set to establish ASEAN's first Women's Economic Empowerment Centre in Kuala Lumpur, to ensure the bloc's potential and opportunities are accessible to all, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth and women. With the country's ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', there is hope for more such platforms, marking the beginning of a more inclusive ASEAN that truly listens to its women.