KUALA LUMPUR: The gap between male and female workforce participation remains significant, says the Communications Ministry.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said while the female workforce in Malaysia stood at 51.6 per cent, the male workforce is at 78 per cent.
She said it was important to support women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, adding that it was not only about equality but also about unlocking potential that would drive innovation and economic growth.
"Encouraging girls to pursue STEM education and careers is an investment in our nation's future," said Teo in a press conference at the Girls in Information Communication Technology (ICT) Forum opening, today.
She added that more girls were currently attending universities than boys, and with access to tertiary education, there should be no barriers to their active participation in the workforce.
"We believe that ICT and STEM fields no longer rely on physical strength.
"Increasing female participation in these areas will effectively boost Malaysia's female labour rate," she said.