By PHUBIEYAS AHMAD
BANGI, Oct 7 – Flexible working arrangements, stronger support systems and shared family responsibilities are needed to help more women participate in the workforce, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s wife said women’s educational and career achievements had not removed the additional demands they face in caring for children, managing households and looking after ageing parents.
She highlighted the pressure on women balancing careers and raising children while also caring for ageing parents, including concerns about neglecting elderly family members.
These overlapping responsibilities, she said, made stronger support systems and shared responsibilities within the family increasingly important.
Delivering the closing address at the Forum Kepimpinan Wanita: Tanggungjawab Dan Amanah at Bangi Convention Centre on October 6, Wan Azizah emphasised the importance of sharing family responsibilities between spouses.
Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (centre) poses with participants following the Forum Kepimpinan Wanita: Tanggungjawab Dan Amanah at Bangi Convention Centre on October 6, 2026. Senator Datuk Seri Prof. Dr. Noor Inayah Ya’akub stands behind her on the right.
She drew on the example of Prophet Muhammad helping with household tasks, highlighting the contribution husbands can make towards easing the demands placed on working women.
Alongside support at home, she called for flexible working arrangements and targeted programmes to help women pursue their careers while managing family responsibilities.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Wan Azizah spoke about the strength she had drawn from motherhood and concern for her children’s future during difficult periods.
She connected those experiences with perseverance, dignity and the responsibility to guide the next generation.
Wan Azizah also reflected on the standing of women in Islam, referring to Surah An-Nisa and Surah Maryam when discussing women’s protection, dignity and resilience.
She highlighted Maryam’s steadfastness in adversity and Khadijah’s faith, sacrifice and support for Prophet Muhammad during periods of opposition.
These examples underscored her message that women’s strength lies in their knowledge, courage and capacity to shoulder demanding responsibilities.
She encouraged women to continue pursuing their aspirations, make use of their intellect and knowledge, remain sincere in their actions and safeguard their dignity and that of their families.
The half-day forum was organised by Neuro Ethics Global Consulting & Mind Guard Ethical Intelligence Sdn. Bhd. to discuss leadership, governance, policy and influence grounded in values.
Built around intellectualism, influence, resilience and dignity, the programme examined how women can lead with integrity and exercise sound judgement amid technological and social change.
Its panellists were Senator Datuk Seri Prof. Dr. Noor Inayah Ya’akub, a member of the Dewan Negara with a background in law and university leadership, and Dr. Jasmine Begum, Microsoft ASEAN’s Regional Director for Legal and Government Affairs.
The forum was moderated by Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff bin Mohd Kashim, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Noor Inayah discussed how women’s thinking, voice and authority can translate into prudent decisions, emphasising responsibilities to family, organisations and society.
Jasmine examined the implications of artificial intelligence, digital fraud and geopolitics, stressing that human accountability must remain in place even when work is delegated to technology.
Wan Azizah’s address highlighted the everyday circumstances that shape women’s ability to participate in employment and leadership, bringing family support and workplace flexibility into the discussion.
She concluded by urging Malaysian women to remain steadfast in pursuing their aspirations and contribute towards harmonious families and a just, prosperous society.
- TNS NEWS