Kuala lumpur: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has called for improved gender-responsive public facilities to better support women's participation in physical activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yeoh emphasized the importance of addressing gaps in public amenities, which often go unnoticed when women are underrepresented in decision-making roles. She highlighted the lack of proper facilities such as showers as a significant barrier to exercise for women. "You cannot expect someone to go to work sweaty without the means to freshen up, and this is something we need to address," she remarked.

Yeoh made these comments during a plenary session at the Women's Rights Conference 2026: Together We Create PowHER, titled 'Future Issue: She Owns The Future', held today. She stressed the need for building proper public shower facilities for women in Kuala Lumpur to encourage more female participation in exercise. Yeoh pointed out that without representation in decision-making processes, women's specific needs are often overlooked.

The conference session also featured Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Othman, Malaysia's first astrophysicist, who offered insights on leadership and innovation from a scientific viewpoint. The one-day event aimed to bring together policymakers, legal practitioners, and regional experts to discuss issues such as women's rights, leadership, and digital safety, including the challenges related to online harassment.