Malaysia-1st- Gender and women’s rights

By Daniel Morris | 13. January 2026

THEMATIC PRIORITY 1: GOVERNANCE

UNGP PILLAR 1

FOUNDATIONAL

No.: G1.2

Action: Conduct an assessment on removing the reservations to CEDAW, CRC and CRPD.

Output Indicator(s): Evidence, insights and recommendations are developed on the effects and potential outcomes of removing the existing reservations to the conventions, which include an examination of constitutional gaps as well as the social norms that underpin related laws.

Collaborative Partner(s): Chief Government Security Officer Minister’s Department (CGSO); BHEUU, JPM; Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC)

No.: G1.4

Action: Conduct an assessment related to the enactment of an Anti-Discrimination Against Women Act in alignment with CEDAW.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Evidence, insights and recommendations are developed on  the effects and potential outcomes of enacting an Anti- Discrimination Against Women Act.
  • The assessment demonstrates how the State and private sector’s obligations under CEDAW are domesticated (including access to remedy) and ensures that equality in the workplace is a matter justiciable in the courts.

Collaborative Partner(s): KPWKM

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI)

No.: G1.25

Action: Implement gender responsive budget-tagging among ministries and agencies.

Output Indicator(s): Percentage of national budget that is tagged for gender responsiveness

Collaborative Partner(s): MOF;KPWKM

No.: G1.26

Action: Implement interventions supporting care work, family-friendly and inclusive policies in the workplace for both the public and private sectors.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Guidelines are developed on establishing inclusive policies related to breastfeeding support, affordable and quality childcare, flexible working arrangements, maternity and paternity leave, protections against all forms of discrimination, and structured accommodations for persons with disabilities.
  • Evidence, insights and recommendations related to the adoption of care work, family-friendly and inclusive policies are used to guide policymaking, starting with the public sector.

Collaborative Partner(s): KPWKM; MOHR, PSD

No.: G1.27

Action: Strengthen existing mechanisms to increase women’s participation in the boardroom and workforce.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Gender-sensitive policies are revised or introduced to promote women’s participation in the boardroom and workforce environment, and digital safety.
  • The ambition for women’s participation on boards is raised and target increased for Public Listed Companies (PLCs).

Collaborative Partner(s): BursaMalaysia; Securities Commission Malaysia; KPWKM

HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS

No.: G1.29

Action: Deliver BHR education and capacity building for state government agencies and businesses to improve enforcement.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Coverage of capacity building sessions successfully conducted at the state level for both the public and private sectors.
  • Scope of BHR issues covered affecting key stakeholders including women, children and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, migrant populations, asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless communities, undocumented groups, and other marginalised communities.

Collaborative Partner(s): BHEUU; SUHAKAM; related federal agencies; State Governments

THEMATIC PRIORITY 2: LABOUR

UNGP PILLAR 1

SOCIAL PROTECTION AND RIGHT OF ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

No.: L1.12

Action: Promote equitable access to employment for vulnerable workers including women, persons with disabilities and older persons.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Engagement sessions with vulnerable workers are organised to identify targeted solutions that increase their access to a living wage, nondiscriminatory career promotions and other work benefits.

Collaborative Partner(s): KESUMA, KPWKM

UNGP PILLAR 3

No.: L3.7

Action: Establish grievance mechanisms with the active participation of workers, centring gender and diversity in the formation of grievance committees or departments and related remediation processes.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Grievance mechanisms are established or revised to include workers in the design and application.
  • Adequate and up-to-date anti-discrimination and gender sensitivity training for all personnel are conducted, especially those handling grievances and remediation processes.
  • Independent, gender-sensitive investigations of violations are provided, addressing gender-linked power imbalances during dispute resolution processes.

Collaborative Partner(s): Businesses

No.: L3.11

Action: Launch nationwide worker socialisation and engagement programmes that aim at building worker confidence and trust and encourage the use of non- State and non-judicial grievance mechanisms.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Engagement programmes are organised across Malaysia, starting with high-risk sectors.
  • Engagement programmes have considered specific invisible barriers faced by women, migrant workers, persons with disabilities, young workers and children and other vulnerable communities including language, norms, cultural traditions, and social or gender-linked vulnerabilities.

Collaborative Partner(s): KESUMA; State agencies; businesses; IGOs

THEMATIC PRIORITY 3: ENVIRONMENT

UNGP PILLLAR 1

FOUNDATIONAL

No.: E1.4

Action: Develop child-sensitive, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive measures to advance the human rights of children to a healthy environment.

Output Indicator(s):

  • Policies and programmes are developed or enhanced to integrate child-sensitive, gender-responsive, and disability inclusive environmental protections.

Collaborative Partner(s): KPWKM; NRES