KUALA LUMPUR: International Women’s Day, celebrated today, reflects the diverse realities of women in Malaysia.
While the official 2026 theme, Give To Gain, emphasises the power of reciprocity and support, for many women the occasion is about far more than a single slogan.
Twentytwo13 spoke to a diverse group of Malaysian women to learn what the day signifies to them. While the meaning of the occasion may differ from one woman to another, the responsibility to inspire and demand change remains a shared and enduring bond.
Norafizah Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec)
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It is a day about appreciation and acknowledgement – recognising the sacrifices, contributions, and quiet strength of women in every role they carry. It is a moment to honour mothers, leaders, daughters, colleagues, and friends, celebrating not only visible achievements but also the resilience behind the scenes. It is also about looking up to inspiring women who lead with courage, integrity, and compassion, and reminding ourselves that every woman’s journey deserves to be seen, valued, and respected.
What is your International Women’s Day wish?
I wish that all women – especially those building careers and pursuing independence – will also have time for what truly matters. This includes being present with their families and witnessing the small, irreplaceable moments in their children’s lives.
I also hope women remember to care for themselves: to pause, rest, and rediscover who they are beyond responsibilities and expectations. May every woman have someone who listens when she is overwhelmed, supports her dreams, and reminds her she does not have to be strong all the time.
What is the change you would like to see happen for women?
I would like to see women living their choices without guilt. Whether a woman chooses to build a career, focus on her family, do both, or redefine success in her own way, she should not feel judged or pressured to fit into one definition of empowerment. True progress is not about pushing women into a single model of success but about giving them the freedom and support to choose their own path confidently and unapologetically.
Jacqueline Arnold, Managing Director, Centriq PR
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day reminds women everywhere that we have earned a seat at the table. Whether employed, a homemaker, or retired, women must recognise their value and the vital role they play in society and the economy.
What is your International Women’s Day wish?
I wish more women would be independent, outspoken, and committed to strong work ethics. That is the only way we will be taken seriously. I also hope mothers raise their daughters to be brave and ensure they receive a good education.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I would like to see women treated as equal partners in society and gender parity achieved across the board. We also need greater advances in medical research and treatments related to women’s health, alongside better education on reproductive and gynaecological issues.
Mahani Kassim, President, Pink Unity
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and courage of women everywhere. As a cancer survivor, it carries deeper meaning for me. It represents the countless women fighting battles that are not always visible – in hospital rooms, during treatment, and within their own hearts.
It honours women who continue to nurture their families, lead their communities, and uplift others even while facing life-altering diagnoses. To me, it is about celebrating survival, sisterhood, and the unbreakable spirit of women who rise no matter how many times life knocks them down.
What is your International Women’s Day wish for 2026?
My wish is that every woman, regardless of her background or income level, has equal access to early screening, quality treatment, and emotional support. Too many women delay care because of fear, stigma, or financial burdens. I also hope for stronger networks of sisterhood – where survivors walk alongside the newly diagnosed and conversations about cancer are open and free of stigma.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I would like to see a shift from awareness to action. Real change happens when policies improve access to care, employers provide meaningful support for women undergoing treatment, and communities stand by survivors beyond symbolic gestures.
Most importantly, young women should grow up empowered with knowledge about their bodies and encouraged to prioritise their health. Early detection saves lives.
Associate Professor Dr Azrina Husin, Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For a long time, I associated International Women’s Day with celebrating women in positions of leadership and influence. While that remains important, my perspective has shifted.
Today, I think more about everyday women who quietly carry immense responsibilities in their families, workplaces, and communities. Many show remarkable grace and tenacity even while navigating difficulties that others may never see.
What is your International Women’s Day wish?
My wish is that society learns to truly recognise women’s contributions in all forms, including the countless ways women sustain families and communities.
As someone who studies digital society, I also hope digital platforms become spaces that empower rather than inhibit women. Young women should feel confident expressing their ideas, asking difficult questions, and supporting one another.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I would like to see greater awareness of how policies and institutional decisions affect the everyday realities of women and families. Too often, women quietly carry the consequences of decisions made elsewhere.
A more compassionate society would consider these human impacts and design policies with greater sensitivity to lived experiences.
Amy Bala, Honorary Secretary, Malaysian Association for Social Workers
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It is a day that recognises women’s worth and their relentless contribution to society. Women today are not only acknowledged but celebrated for their achievements and their role in shaping communities.
What is your International Women’s Day wish?
I hope Malaysia will soon table and pass the long-overdue Social Work Profession Bill. As a social worker, I work with many women who remain vulnerable and unrecognised despite their struggles.
Empowering social workers would allow them to better support individuals and families, including women in difficult situations.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I would like to see social workers valued and recognised regardless of whether they work in government agencies, the private sector, or non-governmental organisations.
Their professionalism and dedication deserve recognition, especially as they play an important role in supporting vulnerable women and communities.
Brigitte Rozario, Writer and Editor
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
If I am honest, I rarely notice it until the attention arrives. It makes me wonder about the other 364 days of the year.
Too often, the day is filled with lip service. People celebrate women publicly but fail to listen to them, value their opinions, or treat them as equals in everyday life.
What is your International Women’s Day wish for 2026?
I wish women would recognise their true value and stop putting themselves down. We often underestimate what we contribute.
My late mother, for example, thought of herself as “just a housewife”. But raising three capable and independent daughters required enormous strength, skill, and sacrifice. Many women manage households, budgets, and families with remarkable ability – skills that are rarely recognised. I hope more women see their own capabilities and understand the influence they have on the next generation.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I would like to see a world where women are genuinely valued rather than merely tolerated.
Women should not be placed in leadership roles simply to fill quotas. Many women possess both intellectual and emotional intelligence and are capable of excelling as leaders while balancing family life. Ultimately, we need a world where men and women work together without discrimination, where girls grow up believing they can pursue any path.
Noraseela Khalid, Olympian and former national hurdler
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
The day symbolises women in a broader context and honours those who have made changes for future generations. Personally, I feel honoured to be the first woman holding a presidential position at the Malaysian Olympians Association. It reflects the trust and respect of the members, and it is meaningful that we continue celebrating women Olympians through our initiatives.
What is your International Women’s Day wish for 2026?
I wish more women would realise they have the freedom to shape their own lives and pursue their ambitions. I am also grateful to the women in my life – my mother, sisters, friends, and colleagues – who have supported and influenced my journey.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
As president of Malaysian Olympism in Action Society that promotes sports, education and inclusivity, I want to see women stepping up to lead, taking responsibility for their choices, and daring to dream big while contributing positively to their communities.
Koay Jien Li, Receptionist
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Women have contributed greatly to the world, and it is only right that we honour them and recognise that they are not the weaker sex.
What is your International Women’s Day wish for 2026?
My wish is that women have strength, happiness, success, and the courage to follow their dreams.
I am 19, and I dream of a career in animation, but due to financial constraints, I am currently working as a receptionist while saving for my studies. Challenges during Covid-19 strengthened my determination, and winning several art competitions has convinced me that a career in animation is possible.
What is the change you would like to see happen?
I hope women will enjoy greater rights and equal treatment. There should be no double standards in pay – women should earn the same as men for doing the same work.
Main image: Top row (left to right): Azrina and Amy. Middle row: Koay, Brigitte and Norafizah. Bottom row: Mahani, Noraseela and Jacqueline.
