Kuala Lampur, March 8 -- Happy Women's Day!

Malaysia has assumed the Asean Chairmanship in 2025, we must confront a crucial reality-are we ready to lead on gender equality while ranking among the lowest globally?

When the Philippines held the Asean chairmanship in 2017, it ranked 10th out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report - higher than any other Asia-Pacific country except New Zealand. Then, Malaysia ranked 70th out of 144 - decently placed in the global gender scale.

In 2024 Malaysia plunged to 114th place - a 44 place drop in seven years.

The Philippines' 2017 chairmanship offered valuable lessons. By prioritising a gender equality in development strategies for decades before, the nation has pro...