Women-led micro and small enterprises (MSWEs) now account for 21% of Malaysia’s SME landscape, equivalent to over 241,000 businesses. As the nation targets a 60% female labour force participation rate (LFPR) by 2033, coordinated efforts from both public and private sectors are stepping up to support these entrepreneurs in meaningful ways.
SMEs make up 97.4% of all businesses in Malaysia. While the female LFPR rose slightly to 56.3%, the gap remains significant compared to the male LFPR of 82.9%, underlining the urgency for gender-inclusive policies and initiatives.
One recent initiative came from self-service laundrette brand dobiQueen, which hosted a panel discussion titled “Empathy Meets Innovation: How Women Entrepreneurs Utilise Purposeful Technology & Empathetic Leadership to Transform Businesses.” The session brought together voices from TalentCorp’s Wanita MyWira, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) and Strive Malaysia, providing a platform to examine systemic challenges and practical solutions.
Addressing Time Poverty and the Digital Divide
A study by Strive Malaysia highlighted that 97% of women entrepreneurs struggle with time poverty, balancing business operations with childcare and domestic responsibilities. While over 80% are digitally literate via platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, many do not fully leverage digital tools for business.
Furthermore, only half of MSWEs feel confident managing business finances. Many cited limited understanding of broader financial concepts and a lack of accessible, relevant information from financial institutions.
To address these gaps, Strive Malaysia has rolled out Strivers’ Hub, a digital platform offering a self-assessment tool, tailored microlearning, and mentorship aimed at building resilient, scalable women-led businesses.
“This report has helped shape targeted interventions for women entrepreneurs,” said Li Yang Lau, Programme Officer at Strive Malaysia. “We aim to create an enabling ecosystem that reflects their evolving needs.”
Empathy in Business: dobiQueen’s Mission
dobiQueen, co-founded by Nini Tan, is one such business born from empathy. With 90 outlets in Klang Valley, it has revolutionised the laundry experience through digital solutions tailored to time-strapped households.
“Women in Malaysia spend over 60% more time on unpaid care work daily,” Nini noted. “We designed dobiQueen to reduce that second shift, combining tech with services like express delivery, folding and pickup via a mobile app.”
Institutional Support Scaling Up
In 2024, TalentCorp, under the Ministry of Human Resources, launched Wanita MyWira to create pathways for women in the workforce — from students and returnees to entrepreneurs and leaders.
“Through advocacy, employer engagement, and skills development, we’re addressing systemic workforce gaps,” said Natasha Alias, Head of Wanita MyWira. “In 2025, we’re scaling up efforts, promoting Career Comeback tax incentives, and working with universities and industries on inclusive hiring.”
TalentCorp is also developing a Gender Action Lab Report, aligned with UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, to push forward workplace equality.
Women in Agriculture: The ‘Invisible Farmers’
Dr Teoh Ai Ni, a Research Associate at Khazanah Research Institute, shared that while women in agriculture contribute significantly, they remain under-recognised due to gender stereotypes and limited access to resources.
“Digital adoption is transforming agriculture. It’s no longer as labour-intensive, opening new doors for women,” Dr Teoh said. “But structural barriers — from care burdens to stereotypes — still need urgent redress.”
As Malaysia advances toward its 2033 LFPR target, the contributions of women-led businesses — empowered by empathy, digital innovation, and collaborative policy — are proving pivotal to national growth. Strengthening support systems for MSWEs is not just an economic imperative, but a foundational move toward a more inclusive future.
