Malaysian Chinese Association’s (MCA) Policy and People’s Livelihood Advisory Committee argues that in order to guarantee that women entrepreneurs have the chance to prosper, government authorities must step up their efforts.
The chairperson of the committee, Dr. Monna Ong, stated that increased assistance and proactive interactions between agencies will help individual business owners and will help make a substantial contribution to the general economic and social advancement of the country. She also advocated for more chances to access high-quality, reasonably priced childcare via digital platforms, focused funding, and financial literacy initiatives.
“Additionally, we propose supporting networking and mentorship through digital tools to foster connections, share experiences, and provide guidance, which are vital for entrepreneurial growth and resilience. The Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Development Ministry can play an important role here in improving the percentage of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia,” said Dr Ong, who is an associate professor at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).
Among other things, Dr. Ong promoted the creation of community-based childcare facilities, the guarantee of equal compensation for equal labor, and the reduction of wage discrepancies and gender-based discrimination in the informal sector. According to her, the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development can make a big contribution to making sure Malaysian women are safe and healthy.
“These steps are justified by the need to support women in managing their dual roles in work and family, ensuring they operate in fair and supportive environments, and providing them with access to capital that is often unavailable through traditional financial institutions,” she said.
She also emphasised how important it is for government organisations to reach out to and actively assist Malaysian women business owners. Citing the possibility of having an international influence, Dr. Ong suggested partnerships between governmental organisations and international projects like Google’s Women Will programs.
“However, it is crucial that these efforts reach both formal and informal enterprises effectively and inclusively across all races in Malaysia,” she said.
The Policy and People’s Livelihood Advisory Committee of MCA released the results of a survey titled “Digital Pathways: Unlocking Potential and Boosting the Success of Malaysia’s Women Entrepreneurs.” Finding a balance between work and family is one of the main issues faced by female entrepreneurs; 43.2% of women in informal firms and 63.8% of women in formal enterprises reported having trouble with this. 46.7% of women reported being under a lot of stress, with significantly higher percentages in unofficial businesses. In the formal sector, 28% of women experienced gender-based discrimination; greater proportions were noted in the unofficial sector. In official businesses, 22.6% of women reported sexual harassment, whereas in informal businesses, 18.8% of women reported the same.
In addition, the poll found that compared to their counterparts in informal businesses, women entrepreneurs in formal firms are more likely to work long hours (63.5%) and weekends (55.2%). “With 50.5% in the formal and 47.0% in the informal sectors, both groups experienced high levels of stress and responsibility,” the report stated.
According to research, 46.8% of women who work in formal industries spend less time with their loved ones. The findings state that “having no paycheck or benefits for a while, fear of failure, and devoting time and energy are other significant challenges, with slightly higher impacts on those in formal enterprises.” 535 female respondents from three different locations—Klang Valley (304), Penang (115), and Johor (116)—participated in the poll.