Tap underutilised female talent to lead Malaysia’s green economy, urges Nancy Shukri

Malaysia risks overlooking its potential to lead the green economy if it fails to address the systemic barriers that keep millions of skilled women out of the workforce, warned Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Speaking at the conclusion of the 7th International Sustainable Energy Summit 2026, Minister Shukri emphasized that Malaysia possesses a considerable pool of underutilised female talent that must be incorporated into policy-making, investment decisions, and technology development.

In 2025, Malaysia's female labour force participation rate was 56.6%, compared to 83.3% for men. Of the 7.03 million individuals not in the labour force, 4.89 million, or 69.5%, were women. Among those, 42.8% cited household duties and family responsibilities as the primary reason for their absence from the labour market. These statistics indicate that the problem is not a lack of talent but rather the opportunity, support, and space for women to apply their skills.

Data from the Asean Energy Database System shows that women constitute 15.7% of graduates in engineering, manufacturing, and construction in Malaysia. However, Minister Shukri pointed out that simply having strong educational attainment does not automatically lead to equal economic participation. To tackle these disparities, she advocated for the integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion principles into policy formulation, executive leadership, and governance frameworks across all sectors.

The energy transition is not merely about systems, targets, and new technologies; it is fundamentally about improving people's lives, work, and future prospects. Minister Shukri stressed that women should not merely be beneficiaries of the energy transition but also be instrumental in shaping it. This necessitates having women at the decision-making table when policies are crafted, investments are made, technologies are developed, and industries are led.