Equi joins Asia-Pacific business leaders in Malaysia to advance gender equality at UN Women Forum

Equi Consultancy Partners’ CEO, Nora Fraser, was part of the delegation at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event brought together over 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development partners from more than 15 countries to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance gender equality as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth.

The two-day Forum, themed “Business. Innovation. Impact.”, was organised by the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in partnership with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Speaking at the Forum, Nora Fraser, CEO of Equi Consultancy Partners, said:

“Women still face barriers that prevent them from unlocking their full economic potential. Forums like this provide an essential platform for leaders, policymakers, and innovators to collaborate and move from commitments to tangible actions. Cities, marketplaces, and capital markets all have a role to play in creating inclusive opportunities for women entrepreneurs and leaders.”

Fraser added:

“It was an incredible opportunity to connect with changemakers across the region and contribute insights on how cities can translate policy into measurable outcomes for women. Harnessing emerging opportunities like digitalisation, AI adoption, and green innovation is essential to advancing women’s economic participation and leadership.”

The Forum explored a wide range of challenges and opportunities facing women in the Asia-Pacific, including:

• Women’s labour force participation, which remains at 46 per cent across the region compared with 74 per cent for men;

• Emerging sectors such as AI, digital technologies, green jobs, and sustainable finance;

• Inclusive procurement practices to strengthen women-owned businesses (WOBs) and Gender-Responsive Enterprises (GREs);

• Programs such as UN Women’s Gender Action Lab and WE RISE Together, which provide frameworks for workplace policies, leadership development, and inclusive economic opportunities across multiple countries.

Participants agreed to accelerate collective efforts to turn gender equality commitments into action, addressing persistent barriers in workplaces, marketplaces, and capital markets. The Forum also highlighted the role of stock exchanges, regulators, and investors in enabling inclusive growth and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Danielle Heinecke, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, said:

“The 2025 Asia-Pacific WEPs Forum brought together remarkable leaders and innovators committed to advancing gender equality in workplaces, marketplaces, and communities. Australia is proud to support these efforts, which are shaping more equitable economic systems across the region.”

The event concluded with a clear mandate for participants to strengthen partnerships, innovate approaches, and implement concrete initiatives that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Asia-Pacific.

Equi Consultancy Partners adopts the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across workplaces, marketplaces, and communities. More information on their commitments is available here.