Which Malaysian ministries should collaborate on promoting women in STEAM?

Question

Accepted Answer

Malaysian Ministries Recommended for Collaboration on Promoting Women in STEAM

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Digital are identified as potential collaborators for initiating a Programme on Role Models in STEAM. This initiative aims to highlight the achievements and challenges faced by women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields to inspire more girls and women. The proposed programme could leverage the insights and profiles of women featured in MIGHT's "Futures According to Women" book, as well as identify other distinguished women in these sectors.
Collaboration for STEAM Role Models Programme

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, as the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, along with Datuk Chang Lih Kang, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Datuk Gobind Singh Deo, the Minister of Digital, are suggested to partner in establishing a Programme on Role Models in STEAM. This collaborative effort is envisioned to showcase successful women in STEAM, detailing their career journeys, including both triumphs and obstacles. The objective is to serve as a catalyst, encouraging a greater number of girls and women to pursue and achieve their full potential in these critical fields.
Leveraging Existing Resources and Expertise

The "Futures According to Women" book, a product of MIGHT Malaysia's Foresight Project, is proposed as a foundational resource for this programme. This compilation features the views and wishes of 62 distinguished women across various professional domains, including science and technology. The initiative could commence by utilising the profiles within this book and subsequently extend to include other accomplished women not yet featured, thereby broadening the scope of inspiration.
Broader Context of Women's Underrepresentation

Globally, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in high-growth sectors like STEAM. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report in 2026 indicated that while women constitute nearly one-third of STEM graduates, they represent only 14 per cent of STEM leaders. Recent trends show a decline in the share of women appointed to senior leadership roles, highlighting the persistent systemic barriers that hinder progress. This disparity underscores the necessity of targeted initiatives to address the leadership gap.
Addressing the Need for Inclusivity and Economic Growth

Promoting women in STEAM is framed not merely as a matter of fairness but as a strategic imperative for economic growth and societal resilience. Diverse leadership teams are associated with enhanced problem-solving capabilities, better risk management, and a greater ability to adapt to market changes. The current rate of progress suggests it will take over a century to close the global gender gap, emphasizing the urgency for proactive measures to harness the full talent pool of the population.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Which Malaysian ministries should collaborate on promoting women in STEAM?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends