Women-led small businesses are on the rise in Malaysia, and they’re making a big impact. Today, 21% of Malaysia’s SMEs are driven by micro and small women entrepreneurs (MSWEs), translating to over 241,000 businesses led by women. As Malaysia pushes toward a 60% female labour force participation rate (LFPR) by 2023, women-owned enterprises are becoming central to the nation’s economic strategy.
However, a gender gap remains. While female LFPR stands at 56.3% men remain ahead at 82.9%. To bridge this divide, both the public and private sectors are stepping up offering innovative solutions to empower and uplift women in business.
Closing the Gap with Empathy and Innovation
Recently, dobiQueen, Malaysia’s leading self-service laundretter, hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion, “Empathy Meets Innovation”, bringing together experts from TalentCorp’s Wanita MyWira, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), and Strive Malaysia. The session explored how technology and empathetic leadership are transforming the entrepreneurial journey for women.
A study by Strive Malaysia revealed key challenges faced by MSWEs:
- 97% struggle with time poverty, juggling work, childcare, and household duties
- Many are digitally literate but underutilize digital tools for business
- Only 50% feel confident about financial management and need more support accessing loans, grants, and market information
To address these issues, Strive Malaysia launched Striver’s Hub, a digital platform providing free self-assessments, training, microlearning, and mentorship to build a more inclusive business ecosystem for women.
Empathetic Business Like dobiQueen Lead the Way
Founded with a mission to ease household burdens, dobiQueen is a shining example of how a women-led SME can meet real societal needs. Co-founder Nini Tan explained how women in Malaysia spend over 60% more time on unpaid work than men. This led to dobiQueen’s tech-driven services like Express Same Day Delivery, Drop-off & Pickup, and in-app laundry booking making daily chores faster and easier for busy households.
With 90 outlets across Klang Valley and growing, dobiQueen continues to innovate while supporting working women. “We understand what women juggle daily and that empathy drives everything we do,” Nini Said.
Government and Industry Step Up for Women
Malaysia’s Budget 2025 allocates RM470 million to support women-led businesses. Through initiatives like Wanita MyWira, the Government is opening doors for more women to thrive in the workforce.
Natasha Alias, Head of Wanita MyWira, highlighted the focus on career comeback programmes, leadership development, and employer engagement to create meaningful employment opportunities for women, whether they’re students, entrepreneurs, or returning professionals.
TalentCorp is also developing a Gender Action Lab Report and promoting DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices to build a fairer, more progressive job market aligned with UN Women’s Empowerment Principles.
More Women Are Breaking Ground in Agriculture Too
Dr Teoh Ai Ni from KRI noted that women in agrifood still face hurdles, often seen as “invisible farmers.” However, digitalization is creating new paths for women to participate in farming without being held beak by outdated gender norms or limited access to resources.
Still, challenges like caregiving responsibilities and lack of support systems must be addressed to ensure equal opportunities in all sectors.
Malaysia’s Future is Female and Inclusive
Malaysia’s journey toward 60% female workforce participation by 2033 depends on more than just numbers. It’s about unlocking the full potential of women through supportive ecosystem, digital tools, financial literacy, and empathetic leadership. The collaboration between government, private enterprises, and organization like dobiQuen, TalentCorp, KRI, and Strive Malaysia is setting the stage for a more inclusive, resilient, and innovative economy.
To learn more about dobiQueen, visit www.dobiqueen.my or follow them on:
- Facebook: dobiQueen
- Instagram: @dobiQueen
