By Shahrizal | Business Today
Malaysia is taking the lead in advancing gender empowerment and equality in ASEAN through a regional workshop focused on applying a gender lens to business and human rights.
Held from June 30 to July 1, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, the initiative is led by Malaysia’s Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and 2025 AICHR Chair Edmund Bon Tai Soon, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The workshop explores a gender lens framework to tackle discrimination, enhance protection of women and girls’ rights, and implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It also addresses barriers in accessing remedies, contributing to ASEAN’s inclusive and sustainable development goals under ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Key speakers include Bon, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kiya Masahiko, SUHAKAM Vice-Chairperson Tengku Mohamed Fauzi Tengku Abdul Hamid, and United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights Chairperson Dr Pichamon Yeophantong.
Supported by the AICHR Fund, Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), UNDP, and Malaysian ministries and agencies, the workshop is part of Malaysia’s broader commitment to inclusivity and sustainability as ASEAN Chair.
