On the topic of building a workplace culture that encourages women to break the glass ceiling, the talk started off with insights from the speakers about the current state of gender parity in Malaysia’s workforce, along with the unspoken barriers holding women back.

Remarking that the Covid-19 pandemic brought about more flexible work arrangements that benefited women, Yeoh also observed that a huge barrier for working mothers is societal and cultural pressures to devote their time and attention to matters at home rather than the workplace. Nurlin and Lee echoed these sentiments, sharing their stories on overcoming guilt and gender bias that they felt as working mums.   

“As women, we sometimes feel guilty for spending so many hours at work,” Lee said. “We feel guilty that we’re not spending enough time with family or our parents. I went through that same experience but I didn’t give up. Speaking from over 30 years of experience in banking, I feel this can be overcome. We should prioritise ourselves and our time.”

On top of the need to address the bias against women in the corporate world, Chia added that measuring workplace diversity and gender equality is difficult, as gender parity statistics vary immensely by industry and rank in the workforce. “What is that ideal target? What are the right statistics to aim for? Just like comparing equality with equity, measuring it is difficult. As long as we empower women to have that freedom of choice and not to feel like they don’t have that choice, then it's a big step towards achieving it,” Chia said.

The discussion took a lively turn at the question of how women can prepare for career breaks and navigate their return to the workforce. Lee shared examples of women and men in her team who took breaks from their careers, returning to Hong Leong Investment Bank eventually with little problem transitioning back in. Having taken four months off after her second son was born, Lee advised women who take career breaks to remain relevant and stay informed. 

Nurlin agreed, adding that BCG is an organisation with flexible practices that let women take career breaks and return to the workforce smoothly. “Career breaks are easy in an organisation like BCG,” Nurlin said. “We provide flexible support, we give people the room to take a break from their career, to take six months off for maternity leave or a leave of absence, and we welcome them back with open arms.” 

The panel then concluded with the four speakers revealing the best advice they received and the philosophies they live by. After the panel discussion, a tasty four-course lunch was served by The Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur as guests mingled over servings of coffee or tea.

Final takeaways from the panel discussion: 

• “Don’t compare yourself to other people in your industry. As women we carry different perspectives. You have to make full use of those different perspectives and highlight overlooked issues that only you can highlight.”
• “Don’t try to dress or behave like a man to make it in a ‘man’s world’. Know your worth as a woman and stay true to that.”
• “Empowerment is about having a choice. It's also about having a support system, whether it's friends, family, mentors or good bosses who are there for you when you feel like quitting.”
• “As women, we should want to have a seat at the table and a space to speak up for ourselves, not for a quota.”

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