Front & Female Awards 2025: 4 change-makers championing women’s equality and rights in Malaysia

Imagine being turned down or undervalued for a job due to mobility limitations, childcare responsibilities, or lack of resources. Fiona Tan experienced just this years ago when she lost her job during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, it was this very adversity that inspired her to start her own company, Heartworks Solution.

This startup upskills women from underserved communities, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed as virtual professionals—whether in administrative support, customer service, or content creation. Bridging the gap between these skilled women and businesses in need of remote talent, Heartworks helps them achieve financial independence without compromising their roles as caregivers.

“Many talented women in Malaysia face significant barriers when trying to re-enter the workforce, often due to childcare responsibilities, mobility limitations, or societal expectations,” Tan says. “As someone who has personally navigated these challenges, I recognise the importance of designing work opportunities that are not only accessible but also flexible.”

What drives your mission and work today? 

As a PWD (person with disabilities) myself, my mission is to survive and be useful while empowering women, particularly those from underserved communities, by offering flexible, remote work opportunities. To me, supporting women is not just an act of charity—it’s a strategic investment in Malaysia’s economic future. When women succeed, families, communities, and businesses thrive, creating a more resilient and inclusive economy for all.

What do you love most about what you do? 

The most rewarding part is helping women, especially PWDs, stay-at-home mums, and single mums, achieve financial independence. I also help business owners grow and recognise the untapped talent in underserved communities, which I believe are hidden gems. It’s fulfilling to see both individuals and businesses thrive.

What’s the biggest hindrance you’ve overcome? 

For me, every day is a challenge. Born with a rare condition that causes daily pain and adversity, I’ve had to navigate many obstacles throughout my life.

However, if I had to pinpoint the greatest challenge, it would be surviving the pandemic. During that time, I faced not only my physical limitations but also the reality of being unemployed, watching my savings deplete, and juggling loans and personal commitments. Despite all the difficulties, I made the difficult decision to start my own business. It wasn’t easy, but it was the turning point that helped me channel my experiences into something meaningful.

Squash world champion, coach, mentor and community builder—Datuk Nicol Ann David doesn’t confine herself to mere labels and her inspiring work empowering kids through sports and education at the Nicol David Organisation proves this.

After working directly with the mothers of the aspiring young athletes in her Little Legends after-school programme, David and her team observed how many mothers—especially those from underprivileged backgrounds—lacked the time and resources to undergo simple health screenings or wellness checks. In 2024, the ‘Ibu Legends’ programme was launched to address this need, providing over 30 mothers with free medical checkups, mental health support, nutrition and fitness workshops, and parenting guidance.

With 60 women already impacted, Ibu Legends fosters resilience, community, and well-being among underserved mothers, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to thrive. 

What is addressing women’s health so important? 

We learnt from The World Economic Forum that disregarding women’s health will cost us estimated billions of dollars each year. Mothers in particular, are so vital in the family; they are often the ones that get things done at home, and yet somehow are still not seen. If they get sick, they can’t bring their kids to school or to sports trainings. 

We partnered with hospitals and other sponsors to help get these women through checkups and screenings, all for free. Almost half of them have never done a full medical checkup before. Encouraging these women to take care of themselves will mean that their family is healthier and stronger.  

Who inspires you and why? 

My own mother brought me and my two sisters up, being a full-time teacher back then, but still finding the time to go to the market, take us to school, and prepare lunches and dinners. We were a middle-class family, making do with limited funds. My parents worked hard and for my mum, there was no time for complaints. She just got things done because that was what mums do.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

The first phase of Ibu Legends is to look after the mums’ mental and physical health. The second phase will look at how to boost their financial literacy and enhance entrepreneurship skills for those who are already entrepreneurs themselves.

Fun fact: Former news editor Pushparani Thilaganathan once harboured a dislike for beauty pageants—but nevertheless went on to found Malaysia’s only personal empowerment heritage pageant, the Miss MalaysiaIndian Global Personal Empowerment Pageant (MMIGlobal), empowering over 20,000 young Indian women since 2000 through self-esteem, financial literacy, and resilience training.

Many contestants who participated in those pageants have since come back to join forces with Pushparani (known affectionately as Rani) to amplify impact in the Indian community through the philanthropic and community efforts of the MMICare Association. 

The MMI Global Small Grants programme has supported more than 50 young women to pursue STEM studies and research, while Rani’s Kapar community initiative provides free tuition and meals to underprivileged students. Since 2001, her Community and Environment Awareness Programme has also trained more than 700 girls as climate change advocates in partnership with USM’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies.

Why is it important to you to support and uplift women?  

A woman is the axis in life and in relationships, be it personal or professional. She is constantly evolving and remains vulnerable to challenges around her, especially so in a world where rules, laws, structures, perceptions and practices revolve around patriarchal perspectives.

I have worked with impressionable girls for 25 years. I am constantly hacking at their perceptions, assumptions and inner walls. I am a bit of a farmer, ploughing the fields of their minds, seeding their thoughts with fresh perspectives, nurturing their inner strengths and giving them a support network of like-minded friendships.

What is most rewarding about your work?

I find unconditional sharing to be the most rewarding aspect of my work. There is no transactional value to my work and what I do. Over the past 25 years, thousands of girls and hundreds of boys have shared their gratitude with me.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

The Covid pandemic setback MMICare Association financially and restricted our volunteer programme. For the next five years, I would like to re-focus on getting our MMIGlobal participants actively back on the ground mentoring and inspiring girls in the community and society. 

“The irony of abuse is that it knows no boundaries, it doesn’t discriminate based on socioeconomic status,” says entrepreneur and gender-based violence trainer Vatsala Nair Manoharan. Vatsala’s challenging experiences rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive marriage shaped her determination to start a community for women to make a comeback from such traumatic experiences, rebuilding their finances and paving a way for a better life.      

Through her social enterprise, Magic Seed, and advocacy for systemic reform, she equips women with the tools to rebuild their lives with dignity. From mentorship programmes to income-generation initiatives, she focuses on breaking cycles of abuse and fostering long-term independence. Her vision extends beyond immediate aid; she is championing a national network of shelter homes, a batterer intervention framework, and educational programmes to prevent future violence.

Fiercely committed to ensuring no woman is forced to choose between survival and freedom, Vatsala is not just helping survivors—she’s reshaping the system that failed them in the first place.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?

Leaving my abusive marriage of 16 years with two young kids of six years old, I wasn’t just a survivor of physical and mental abuse but also financial abuse, like many housewives. It was the support system I built and the two businesses I started from home, that saved and survived me even to date.

Breaking my own limiting belief of insecurities, trauma and fear. This journey of survival and rebuilding taught me the importance of opportunity, resilience, and community. 

What drives you to do what you do? 

I’m driven by the belief that every woman deserves a to rebuild her life with dignity and free of fear. I understand how systemic barriers such as financial instability, intersecting inequalities, vague support systems, and lack of opportunities can hold them back.

This understanding is the driving force behind my work, whether it’s bridging the gap between victims and support organisations, mentoring women through entrepreneurship programs, or creating income-generation opportunities through our product, Magic Seed.

When women are equipped with the tools and support to succeed, the ripple effects extend far beyond them, they empower their children, families, and communities, creating meaningful change in society.

What is most rewarding about your work? 

The stories of survival and transformation. Knowing that a woman has regained her value and is rebuilding her life, especially for the sake of her children, is a powerful reminder of why I do this. Mothers who can pay their child’s school fees, provide nutritious meals, fund happy outings with children, invest in their own self-care, and dedicate time to learning—these are the things that matter to me.

It’s about empowering mothers to create a life of stability, growth, and fulfilment, not just for themselves, but for their children as well. Each step towards financial independence and personal growth is a step toward breaking cycles and building a future where they can thrive, not just survive. I share many of these stories under the name ‘LARA’ in my #10Ringgit #Ringaring4roses campaign. On tough days, when burnout creeps in, these stories reignite my passion. They remind me that if I give up on myself, I give up on so many others who are walking the same path.

Be sure to check out the other nominees shortlisted for the Front & Female Awards 2025:

• The trailblazers championing women’s health and well-being
• The inspiring young leaders under 30 who are fighting for a better Malaysia for women
• The female founders elevating women and girls in Malaysia
• The mavericks advancing the female agenda, from sports to the big screen
• The leaders championing women’s professional development in business, politics and more

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