Kuala lumpur: Women must actively participate in driving the nation's energy transition rather than remaining mere beneficiaries, as Malaysia works to tap into its underutilised female labour potential to build an inclusive green economy. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasized the need for greater female involvement in her speech at the closing of the 7th International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2026 today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy Shukri highlighted structural barriers that continue to hinder women's full participation in the workforce, despite their high educational achievements. In 2025, Malaysia's female labour force participation rate stood at 56.6 percent, compared with 83.3 percent for men. Out of the 7.03 million people outside the labour force, 4.89 million, or 69.5 percent, were women. Among these women, 42.8 percent cited housework and family responsibilities as the main reasons for remaining outside the workforce.
Nancy Shukri noted that while women account for 15.7 percent of graduates in engineering, manufacturing, and construction in Malaysia according to the ASEAN Energy Database System, their academic achievements have not automatically led to equal economic participation. She stressed the importance of incorporating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into policy planning, leadership, and decision-making platforms across all sectors to ensure a just energy transition.
"The energy transition is not only about systems, targets, and new technologies. Ultimately, it is about improving our people-how they live, work, and build their future," Nancy Shukri stated. She expressed the aspiration for women to be seen not only as beneficiaries of the energy transition but also as active shapers of it, with a presence in policy design, investment decisions, technology development, and industry leadership.
The summit, themed 'Envisioning Sustainable Energy Beyond Borders' (BM: Memacu Tenaga Lestari Merentasi Sempadan), was organized by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA). The two-day event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre brought together regional energy policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss cross-border energy cooperation, green investments, and practical solutions to accelerate ASEAN's transition toward a low-carbon energy system.