09/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 9, 2026

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Doctor forges path from rubber estate to red carpet o Milestones in advocacy,

strategic necessity. “Studies indicate that increasing women’s participation in the workforce could boost GDP by 7% to 12%.” He also highlighted the resilience of women owned micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly in services and digital sectors, saying their contribution strengthens growth, raises household incomes and helps reduce poverty. He urged policymakers, businesses and civil society to expand the roles of women through progressive policies, legal protections and greater investment in education, healthcare and economic empowerment. “Empowering women must remain a national priority.” He urged employers to strengthen gender-responsive workplace policies and called on policymakers and industry leaders to support inclusive labour market strategies. “Empowering women is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. When women are enabled to contribute fully and lead confidently, businesses become stronger, institutions more dynamic and the nation more prosperous.” – By Faiz Ruzman Female economic empowerment must take centre stage, says MEF PETALING JAYA: Women’s economic empowerment must be treated as a core pillar of Malaysia’s competitiveness as the country shifts towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said. In conjunction with International Women’s Day on yesterday, MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said stronger policy alignment and sustained employer commitment are needed to accelerate the advancement of women in the workforce. “Malaysia has made progress in women’s educational attainment, with women accounting for more than 60% of enrolments in public universities. Female labour force participation has also risen from 46.8% in 2010 to about 56.2% in 2024. “However, this remains below the national target of 60% by 2033 under the Madani Economic Framework and continues to lag behind several regional economies.” He added that women’s economic empowerment should be viewed as a strategic economic priority rather than merely a social issue. He also said women remain underrepresented in corporate leadership, with women holding about 29% of board positions among the top 100 public listed companies, while representation in senior management across industries remains below 40%. “Career interruptions due to caregiving responsibilities also contribute to skills attrition, reduced workforce continuity and long-term earnings disparities.” Syed Hussain said organisations with greater female representation in leadership often demonstrate stronger financial performance, better governance and more effective risk management. “Inclusive workplaces are more resilient workplaces. Companies that invest in developing female talent pipelines, support flexible work arrangements and implement equitable career advancement frameworks are better positioned to compete in an increasingly complex economic landscape.” He added that increasing women’s labour force participation by 10 percentage points could boost Malaysia’s GDP by up to RM60 billion through better talent utilisation and productivity.

activism distracted from her medical career. She said her confidence stems largely from her upbringing and her mother, who shaped her outlook on life. “My mother made care look like work and work look like care. “She runs an animal shelter housing 100 dogs, manages an old folks home and has adopted orphaned children. “She is also my mentor and told me: ‘Excellence is non-negotiable, but you don’t owe anyone smallness’. These lessons have shaped how I approach medicine, advocacy and life.” Nisha is equally candid about what defines a strong woman today. “Precision, stamina, mercy and the willingness to say: ‘I don’t know’ and then find out. “Being efficient and believing in yourself matters most.” Reflecting on Malaysian women, she said their ability to move across different worlds is one of their greatest strengths. “We code-switch without losing syntax. We bargain at markets and negotiate in theatres – that’s an example of me as a Malaysian doctor. “We carry laksa and a scalpel with the same interest. “We make room and remember names. We are kind and make others feel at home when they are our friends. I’ve always been called a multitasker, and just because I’m an Asian woman, I’ll take that as a compliment.” Her advice to young women, particularly those pursuing science or medicine, is simple. “Start before you feel ready. Envision yourself and get a mentor. You have strategy, not vanity, and measure (yourself) by your own markers.” On International Women’s Day, Nisha has a message for women everywhere. “Keep your head high and propel forward. Protect your dream, that’s the stepping stone. “Build your circle, build your skill, build your rest. Then build for someone else. “You decide who you become. Don’t let anyone dictate who you are or who you’ll be. Speak up if there’s injustice.” She said her proudest moments are the ripple effects of her work. “(One such moment was) the first time a girl from my hometown wrote to say she applied to medical college with a scholarship and then started her own pad workshop. That, and a clean flap note in surgery.” Nisha’s journey shows how heritage, ambition and social responsibility can coexist, and inspire a generation of Malaysian women to chart their own path. market demands. “Structural inequalities and discriminatory practices still limit women’s opportunities to contribute optimally to national development.” He also said the Malaysia Gender Gap Index 2025 places female labour force participation at 56.5%, far below 83% for men. “Meanwhile, the 2024 Graduate Statistics by the Statistics Department show female graduates earn RM900 less than their male counterparts despite similar qualifications.” Azril emphasised that women’s inclusion is both a social and economic imperative. “In an era of digital transformation and the transition to a green economy, broader female participation is no longer optional, it is a

pageantry exemplify potential of women

Ű BY HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: From a rubber estate in Negeri Sembilan to the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, Dr Nisha Thayananthan has carved an unlikely path that bridges medicine, advocacy and cultural pride. Now based in London and training as a plastic surgery resident with the United Kingdom National Health Service, Nisha’s journey began far from global spotlights, in a small rubber estate community in Seremban. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, observed yesterday, her story highlights how determination, education and purpose can propel women from humble beginnings to global platforms. Her rise from a modest estate school to international heights reflects a story of perseverance and ambition, proving that opportunity can emerge even from the most unlikely places. Global attention followed her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival last year, where she walked the red carpet in a striking black and-gold Melanau songket gown. “The fabric carried generations of (pride). Wearing it abroad was my way of saying Malaysian heritage belongs on that carpet without apology,” she told theSun . The gown, inspired by the Jerunai of Sarawak and adorned with 999 Swarovski crystals representing the highest Melanau rank, later entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the first songket to appear at Cannes. Nisha attended primary school at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Ladang Linsum, located within the rubber estate where her grandparents worked. “My grandparents were tappers and we lived there. That was how I started,” she said, adding that her grandfather remains her greatest inspiration. A straight-A student, she later secured a scholarship from the Public Service Department and pursued medicine at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. She subsequently obtained a Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. “Pageantry trained me to speak under

lights and medicine taught me to listen under pressure. “I used the crown to talk about period poverty and surgical access – same aim, different microphone. I feel glad that I’m able to do both.” At 20, Nisha launched the EcoPAD project after witnessing girls in rural Malaysia unable to afford sanitary products. “That really hit me hard,” she said. The initiative produces biodegradable sanitary pads while also providing menstrual health education, reaching girls in several countries, including parts of Africa, the Philippines and Indonesia. She added that balancing medicine, advocacy and public life has never intimidated her. “I’ve always had the ability to balance things since (I was) young. I know how to segregate my time, although it can be (a rush) sometimes. I schedule everything in advance and I’m efficient. People limit themselves with doubt. I don’t doubt myself.” However, moments of self-doubt did arise, particularly when critics suggested her Nisha said the ability of Malaysian women to move across different worlds is one of their greatest strengths. – PIC COURTESY OF NISHA THAYANANTHAN leadership continues to lag behind corporate progress. “Currently, only about 13.5% of MPs are women, while fewer than 20% of ministerial positions are held by women. In the administrative and organisational leadership sectors, women make up just 27.1% of legislators, senior officials and managers. “The imbalance not only undermines representative democracy but also risks sidelining the perspectives and needs of half of the nation’s population in shaping national development.” He added that stronger female participation is increasingly vital as Malaysia navigates economic transformation and evolving labour

‘Women remain underrepresented in political, administrative leadership’

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Despite gains in corporate boardrooms, women remain significantly underrepresented in Malaysia’s political and administrative leadership, a policy think tank said in light of International Women’s Day yesterday. Institut Masa Depan Malaysia said the gender gap persists across governance and public administration, even as female representation on the boards of the country’s top 100 listed companies has surpassed the 30% target. Its CEO Azril Mohd Amin said national