Malaysia Convenes ASEAN Workshop On Gender Equality, Business And Human Rights

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) – As Chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) for 2025, Malaysia will host a regional workshop in Kuala Lumpur starting Monday, focusing on a gender lens perspective in the context of business and human rights.

The two-day workshop will examine how a regional gender lens framework can help address gender-based barriers, tackle structural and cultural discrimination, and strengthen the protection of the human rights of women and girls.

In a statement, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said the workshop will examine the implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework (UNGPs).

It stated that the discussions will emphasise progress and challenges in realising the Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities.

“Good practices on meeting challenges and barriers in seeking access to effective remedies on the matters will also be shared as AICHR aims to support ASEAN Member States through recommendations for governments and business enterprises to consider in their policymaking and practices.

“In line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, this workshop supports ASEAN’s inclusive and sustainable development efforts and reinforces Malaysia’s leadership in advancing a more gender-responsive business and human rights agenda,” the statement read.

The workshop is led by Malaysia’s Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Edmund Bon Tai Soon. He also serves as the AICHR Chair for 2025.

The programme opens with remarks from Bon, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, Ambassador Kiya Masahiko, and Vice-Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Tengku Mohamed Fauzi Tengku Abdul Hamid.

The chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights Dr Pichamon Yeophantong, will deliver the keynote address.

It is jointly supported by ASEAN Member States through the AICHR Fund, Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and in collaboration with Malaysia’s ministries and agencies and SUHAKAM.

It is one of Malaysia’s initiatives as ASEAN Chair this year, reinforcing the country’s strong commitment to human rights within the framework of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”
-- BERNAMA