Under the new career comeback programme "Empowering Women in Cyber Risk Management", women in Malaysia who are interested to return to work can do so by developing their cybersecurity talent

The programme is being offered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) with the strategic cooperation of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Communications and Multimedia Ministry and Human Resources Ministry as a career comeback initiative for women.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh stated that the programme is also aimed at overcoming the talent gap faced by cybersecurity industry where the target is to produce 10,000 talents by 2020 from 7,000 now.

She added that the programme would be relaxed in terms of working hours as well as having child-care facilities for women to adapt to themselves to the labour market. It would offer various forms of support for participants such as mentor guide, training, monthly allowance, and many other benefits. 

Yeoh added that it is important to encourage the participation of women in the workforce as a report said 93 per cent of the women who stopped work intended to return but almost 63 per cent faced difficulties to do so. She revealed that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has the potential to grow by RM6 Bn to RM9 Bn if more women join the labour force.

The programme is opened to women who had stopped work for more than six months and have at least three years’ experience in the corporate sector.