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The Women’s Empowerment Principles Corporate Action Lab (WEPsCAL) is a cohort-based programme that helps companies assess progress, leverage data, and use tailored resources to co-create and implement targeted strategies promoting gender equality aligned with specific WEPs areas.
UN Women, LeadWomen, and TalentCorp have launched what is said to be Malaysia’s first Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Corporate Action Lab (WEPsCAL) on 20 May 2025 (Tuesday).
Introduced on 20 May 2025 (Tuesday), this signature programme is part of the UN Women Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in the Asia Pacific, supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Malaysia is the first of four countries to implement and launch the WEPs Corporate Action Lab.
WEPsCAL is a cohort-based programme that helps companies assess their current progress and use data-driven, tailored resources to co-create and implement targeted strategies promoting gender equality in alignment with specific WEPs areas. The Women’s Empowerment Principles provide a globally recognised framework guiding businesses in adopting gender-responsive policies and practices across their entire value chain. UN Women leverages WEPs to engage the private sector, driving transformative impact for gender equality across industries and company sizes.
In Malaysia, the first WEPs Corporate Action Lab focuses on the theme "Innovating the Future of Family-Friendly Workplaces". At the launch event, held at Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the first Malaysian cohort of WEPs Changemakers was announced, featuring 11 diverse companies committed to advancing gender equality:
- AirAsia Aviation Management Services
- FGV Holdings
- Grant Thornton Malaysia
- HAYS Malaysia
- Kiddocare
- Mastrak
- Micron Memory Malaysia
- PEOPLElogy Development
- QSR Brands (M) Holdings
- Sagemaker Asia
- WIPRO UNZA MALAYSIA
Katja Freiwald, Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Migration, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said: "Transforming businesses and workplaces is key to increasing women’s labour force participation and building more inclusive, resilient economies. It’s exciting to see Malaysia leading the way with the WEPs Corporate Action Lab’s first theme — ‘Innovating the Future of Family-Friendly Workplaces’ — a powerful step that holds promise for scalable solutions across Asia and the Pacific."
Speaking at the event was YB Wong Shu Qi, TalentCorp Board of Directors Chairperson who commented: "This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in our collective commitment to empower women across Malaysia. By fostering strong public-private collaboration, we aim to accelerate progress towards achieving a 60% female labour participation rate, creating family-friendly workplaces that support women’s return, retention, and advancement, and ensuring equal opportunities for women to contribute and thrive in the workforce."
Similarly, Clare Gatehouse, Political and Economic Counsellor, Australian high Commission to Malaysia, noted that gender equality benefits everyone by driving economic growth, enhancing social cohesion, and increases the wellbeing of all members of society.
"Australia is proud to champion this innovative program supporting practical, private sector-led solutions for boosting women’s economic participation," she added.
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Lead image / TalentCorp Facebook
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