Women Economic Forum ASEAN 2025 Day 1 was about setting the tone and Day 2 was about getting to work.
On 20 June 2025, the Women Economic Forum ASEAN picked up steam as speakers, panellists, and attendees dove into practical conversations about scaling impact, building resilience, and preparing for the future.
There were no fluffed speeches here – just women sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what’s next.
From agri-business to artificial intelligence, the day touched on real-world tools that women across ASEAN are already using to change the game.
Morning Shift: Redefining Growth
The day began with Beyond Traditional Farming: How Women Leaders are Revolutionizing Agriculture for the Sheconomy, where women leaders in agritech and rural innovation unveiled how they’re flipping conventional farming on its head to drive economic change across the Sheconomy.
A short break refreshed the room before we dove into two powerful tracks on environment and inclusion:
- In Championing Environmental Changes: How Female Leaders Are Influencing The Sheconomy with Sustainable Practices, speakers like Datin Nik Faridah Salleh and Dato’ Ong Bee Leng painted a future where sustainable business isn’t optional but it’s essential.
- Meanwhile, Integrating Environmental Goals & Universal Halal Hub with Economic Success: The Contributions of Women to the Sheconomy, led by moderator Datin Dr Norli Hj Alias, showed how women are bridging green ethics with Halal certification to reach new markets.
Education as Power in Parallel Paths
Next came a focus on education’s role in economic empowerment:
- In Session 16: Academic Excellence and Economic Impact: How Education is Driving Women’s Success in the Sheconomy, speakers like Dr Becky Low, Petrina Goh, and Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Mursyid Arshad explored how strong academic foundations can lead to business success.
- Session 17: From Classroom to Boardroom: How Education is Fueling Women’s Impact on the Sheconomy featured Uma Thana Balasingam, Dr Mona Kassim, and others, who discussed how today’s learning is building tomorrow’s business leadership.
A related session looked at developing future-ready talent. Aneesha Reihana and Ms. Stella Lau shared insights on digital growth and skills training for young women entering the workforce.
Workshops That Build and Bond
At mid-morning, the Forum shifted into hands-on territory:
- Mentoring Women, Moving Economies: Legacy Leadership in the SheEconomy focused on legacy leadership.
- Small Branding, Big Impact and Innovating in Global Markets armed participants with practical strategies for scaling their businesses and brands.
After lunchtime, the Forum returned with energy!
Dr Harbeen Arora Rai, WEF’s global president delivered a keynote that reminded attendees where we all started, and how much ground we’ve covered.
A skincare launch by Dr Coco Wong (Ba‑Bling Ca‑Ching) offered a beautiful example of purpose-led branding and market innovation.
Round Tables: Where Action Begins
Two packed round tables followed:
- Aligning Economic Success with Social Good: Women’s Role in Advancing the SDGs through the Sheconomy (moderated by Mellisa Foong) brought together policymakers and social entrepreneurs to connect business success with the SDGs.
- Women as Catalysts for Change: G100 Round Table Meeting 100 Days Connect and Collaborate Addressing Poverty and Building The Sheconomy in ASEAN, part of G100’s 100-day collaboration, hosted thought‑leaders like Maloo Natarajan in a high‑energy exchange about poverty, philanthropy, and bold leadership.
Inspiration You Can Revisit and Replay
The day wrapped up with workshops that explored grit, gratitude, balance, and storytelling as a tool for leadership.
If you’re ready to reflect, reconnect, and be inspired, some Day 2 podcast sessions are already live, with more highlights dropping soon on Motherhood.com.my’s Instagram and TikTok pages.
Join us as we continue the journey with Day 3 coverage and exclusive piece available on on Mamahood Singapore!
For more insightful stories and parenting advice, stay tuned to Mamahood Singapore!