As the final day of the Women Economic Forum ASEAN 2025 began, the energy was anything but winding down.
Instead, the air buzzed with a sense of fulfilment and forward-thinking momentum.
After two powerful days of conversations, Day 3 arrived as both a reflection and a united call for next steps.
A Morning Charged with Purpose
The day kicked off with Plenary 7: Driving ESG Excellence: How Global and ASEAN Women Leaders are Weaving Environmental, Social, and Governance Principles Into the Sheconomy, featuring H.E Dominique Hasler.
This session reminded us that women are not just participants but drivers of ESG innovation in the region.
Next came Plenary 9: Integrating Traditional Values with Modern Business: The Role of Men in ASEAN Women Empowerment in the Sheconomy, led by Dorji Dhradhul.
This thought-provoking session brought much-needed balance, exploring how men can be allies in supporting women’s economic rise.
Fireside Chats and Cultural Shifts
After a short break, the stage welcomed Fireside Chat 3: From Red Carpets to Boardroom: How ASEAN Key Opinion Leaders are Integrating Business and Social Impact in the Sheconomy, with YB Anfaal binti Saari.
The room was drawn into an honest and inspiring take on influence, purpose, and the power of visibility.
From there, parallel sessions took over the late morning:
- In Harnessing Cultural Heritage: The Role of Women Leaders in Integrating Cultural Values into the Sheconomy, speakers like Amielyn Limbona, Dr Rahimah Hamdan, and Fi Dinh discussed how heritage can be a powerful economic driver.
- Youth Cultural Diplomacy in Business: How Women & Youth Leaders are Using Cultural Exchange to Strengthen the Sheconomy saw voices like Chai Peg Kee (Peggy), Nik Adina Taty and Tara Jacobsen championing cultural exchange as a tool for empowerment.
- In Integrating Cultural Values in Tourism into Business Models: The Success Stories of ASEAN Women in the Sheconomy, women like Datin Malliga Subramaniam and Puneedha Raja Ram shared how local culture builds global impact.
Responding to the New Normal
Late morning sessions tackled timely themes:
- The New Normal: How Female Entrepreneurs are Navigating and Thriving in the Post-Normal Sheconomy featured insights from Amelia Tan, Ahmad Syukry Bin Ibrahim, and others.
- In The Evolution of Work and Business: How Women are Shaping the Sheconomy in the New Normal, leaders like Datin Dr Hasnorliza Abu Hassan and Sona Ghose broke down how women are reshaping industries.
- Meanwhile, Digital And Communication Transformation And The Sheconomy: The Role of Women Leaders in the Post-Normal Business World brought together tech-savvy leaders including Noor Amy Ismail and Surayati Binti Ibrahim.
Innovation in the Afternoon
After lunch, round tables lit up the forum with vibrant exchange:
- Tech-Driven Leadership and Artificial Intelligence explored how AI and innovation can empower women entrepreneurs.
- Internationalisation of Micro Entrepreneurs and Malaysia Halal Certification spotlighted halal’s power in scaling global brands.
- Breaking the Silence offered a courageous space to discuss sexual harassment in the workplace and beyond.
Spiritual Intelligence and Closing Reflections
In Plenary 10: Activating Spiritual Intelligence to Benefit Humanity, Ocean WhiteHawk brought a soulful close to the formal sessions, showing that leadership also requires heart.
Then, in a final fireside chat, Dr Soo Wincci captured the room with her journey of using fame as a force for good in Influence Beyond Entertainment: How ASEAN Female Celebrities are Impacting the Sheconomy and Social Issues.
The closing ceremony was a celebration in every sense, honouring speakers, welcoming cultural performances, and summarising key takeaways that will echo far beyond KL.
The Journey Doesn’t End Here
WEF ASEAN 2025 may have wrapped its final session, but the conversations, connections, and commitments are only just beginning.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more exclusive podcast episodes, interviews and snippets from the women (and men) shaping the Sheconomy.
From boardrooms to grassroots, from policy to purpose, this movement is just getting started.
Tune in to Motherhood and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more stories and wisdom.
Because building a better future isn’t a one-off event.
It’s an ongoing journey and we’re walking it together.
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