Budget 2020 and Women’s Economic Participation
Professor Sharifah Hapsah welcomed Budget 2020 initiatives aimed at incentivising women aged 30 to 50 to return to the workforce. Relevant Link: • Malay Mail – Groups laud Budget 2020 initiatives designed to aid women’s participation
Women’s Assembly at the Ninth Session of the World Urban Forum
Contributing to the Women’s Assembly at WUF9 in Kuala Lumpur, Professor Sharifah Hapsah spoke on urban governance, safe cities, economic inclusion, and the ethical responsibilities of families regarding digital media. Relevant Link: • IISD – World Urban Forum summary
Empowering Women in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Role of Women Engineers
Professor Sharifah Hapsah delivered a professional engagement connecting female empowerment with engineering, tech innovation, and leadership in Industry 4.0. Relevant Links: • IEM Women Engineers Facebook – Role of Women Engineers • NCWO Facebook – Women Engineers engagement
No Kiddie Pack, Every Life Counts
Professor Sharifah Hapsah issued a public statement opposing proposals to reintroduce small cigarette packages commonly described as “kiddie packs.” She situated NCWO’s position within Malaysia’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and argued that commercial considerations should not override evidence-based public-health policy or the protection of children and young people.
Public Commentary on the PERMATA Programme
Professor Sharifah Hapsah rejected the perception that the PERMATA programme was exclusively elitist. She explained that its different components also addressed marginalised young people and adolescents who lacked opportunities to realise their potential. Her comments situated talent development within a broader framework of educational access and social inclusion.
Teenage Pregnancy: Family, Education and Community Responsibility
Professor Sharifah Hapsah urged multi-stakeholder responsibility involving families and schools to curb teenage pregnancy through education and guidance. Relevant Link: • Malay Mail – Groups: Adopt drastic measures to curb teen pregnancies
Women in Private-Sector Decision-Making
Professor Sharifah Hapsah called on the Malaysian private sector to increase the participation of women at decision-making levels. Her public commentary drew attention to the continuing underrepresentation of women in corporate leadership and the need for institutions to move from general commitments towards measurable participation in senior positions.
Integrity Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Professor Sharifah Hapsah emphasised that a culture of integrity could not be assigned solely to government institutions or enforcement bodies. She presented integrity as a shared responsibility involving individuals, families, communities, organisations and national institutions, thereby connecting ethical conduct with responsible citizenship and sustainable governance.
Integrity Culture Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Professor Sharifah Hapsah argued that developing a culture of integrity is a collective societal responsibility that begins in early family education and community environments. Relevant Link: • Astro Awani – Budaya integriti adalah tanggungjawab semua
Information and Communication Technology and the Millennium Development Goals
Professor Sharifah Hapsah participated in an international panel linking ICT access with poverty reduction, digital inclusion, and the Millennium Development Goals. Relevant Link: • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – ICT4D: Connecting People for a Better World