Kuala Lumpur: A total of 100 women leaders from various professional backgrounds nationwide are expected to be selected for this year’s Women Leadership Apprenticeship Programme (PERANTIS), according to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said each of them would receive up to RM50,000 to implement leadership development programmes in their respective fields.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme is designed to address the deep-rooted gender gap in leadership. Nancy highlighted that while women excel academically, this success has not yet translated into economic and political leadership, where scores remain disproportionately low. The initiative aims to reverse that trend by providing mentorship, resources, and platforms for women leaders to thrive.

Nancy further emphasized that by investing in initiatives like PERANTIS, the government is laying the foundation and creating an environment for women to lead with strength, resilience, and innovation. She stated, “The most valuable ‘products’ we create are not material things but the leaders who inspire, drive change, and uplift their communities.”