Kuala lumpur: The National Women's Agenda Forum (FAWN), held in conjunction with the International Women's Day 2026 Celebration today, served as a platform to empower women through the sharing of industry experiences and initiatives aimed at building a more inclusive economic ecosystem. Themed 'Memartabat Wanita Memperkukuh Negara', the programme brought together about 1,000 participants from various backgrounds at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the forum was not only a space to exchange experiences but also a platform to inspire more women, especially young people, to venture into entrepreneurship. She emphasized that many successful entrepreneurs had proven that businesses do not necessarily require large start-up capital, as they can begin on a small scale from home by leveraging personal interests, ideas, and talents.

'There is no need to start with a large allocation. What matters is having passion, ideas, and creativity. Once you showcase your talent, it can open opportunities to obtain grants and other forms of support,' she told reporters after attending the forum. Also present was Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Lim Hui Ying.

Meanwhile, TalentCorp Senior vice-president Datuk Mahuran Saro Sariki highlighted the importance of close collaboration between the government and the private sector in narrowing the gender gap in the economy, particularly through the implementation of flexible workplace policies. She noted that initiatives such as the Women Back to Work Programme, as well as tax relief and training incentives for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) introduced by the government, have helped encourage women who left the workforce due to family responsibilities to return to their careers.

At the same forum, Technocom Systems Sdn Bhd Senior Human Resources manager Normah Shahrom said women now make up 83 per cent of the multinational company's workforce following the implementation of more inclusive workplace policies. She added that besides providing employment opportunities, the company also sponsors employees' education through the Academy in Industry programme in collaboration with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), enabling them to enhance their skills and obtain professional diplomas.

Meanwhile, founder and fashion designer of the Tom Abang Saufi brand, Datuk Indera Tom Abang Saufi, shared that the creative industry offers vast opportunities for women to generate income at the international level. She emphasized that local talent and cultural uniqueness have strong potential to penetrate global markets if supported by a consistent branding strategy. At the same time, she encouraged female entrepreneurs to remain aware of technological developments, including mastering online business platforms, to ensure their brands remain relevant and competitive in the global market.