The Malaysian economy maintained avigorous pace in the first nine months of 2012 despiteexternal headwinds. Continuing a trend in the past twoyears, Malaysia's stronger-than-expected Gross DomesticProduct, or GDP growth in the first nine months of 2012 wasdriven by rapid expansion of domestic demand while externaldemand (and export-oriented industries) stagnated due tocontinuing global uncertainty. Malaysia's lowparticipation of women in labor markets is linked to apattern whereby women do not return to work after marriageand childbearing. Education alone is not sufficient to closegender gaps as social norms and formal institutions continueto affect the choices of all women. In the long-term, normsneed to evolve for gender gaps to be bridged; in themeantime measures can be put in place to help men and womenbalance responsibilities. Changing prevailing social normstakes time. In the medium-term, supportive measures at allstages of the life-cycle can be put in place, ranging fromflexi-work arrangements and expanded childcare options, toincentives for more female participation in'non-female' educational fields and job types.While current initiatives to leverage on women's talentare laudable, other policy options must be explored,evaluated, and tailored, to enable Malaysian women to fullycontribute to Malaysia's transformation towards ahigh-income, inclusive and sustainable economy.
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