PUTRAJAYA, Aug 21 — The policy of flexible working hours for women should be extended to all agencies and companies to ensure that female employees are not regarded as a burden in the workplace.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the move comes after the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, which revealed that Malaysia ranked at the bottom in terms of women’s participation in the economic sector.
“We want flexible working hours to be made a policy so that women are not seen as individuals who are constantly applying for leave, which would affect their work performance.
“Research must be more comprehensive, whether in government agencies or the private sector, as I am confident in the advocacy of justice and equality for women,” she said.
Anfaal was speaking to the press after officiating the Women’s Empowerment Carnival, organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Graduate School of Business' postgraduate students at Dewan Serbaguna Kompleks Kejiranan Presint 16 today.
Meanwhile, the councillor said the state government incorporates the concepts of scholarship and education in every women’s empowerment initiative to safeguard their future.
She noted that only through knowledge can women become competitive and, in turn, inspire others to strive for self-improvement.
“That is why we established educational platforms such as the Women’s Leadership Academy and the Women’s Assembly, because by building a group of knowledgeable women, they will become catalysts for many more women out there,” Anfaal said.
