Cyber security programme to encourage women to return to work

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh.

PUTRAJAYA: Women keen on returning to the workforce can now do so by developing their cyber security talents under the “Empowering Women in Cyber Risk Management” programme.

The programme is offered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) with the strategic cooperation of the women, family and community development ministry, the communications and multimedia ministry and the human resources ministry.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said the programme is also aimed at overcoming the talent gap faced by the cyber security industry and targets to increase the number trained from 7,000 to 10,000 by 2020.

She said the programme would have flexible working hours, with child-care facilities, to help women adapt to the labour market.

“There are various forms of support for participants, such as mentors, training, a monthly allowance and other benefits,” she said after launching the pilot programme here today.

Yeoh said it is important to encourage the participation of women in the workforce as a report said 93% of the women who stopped work intended to return but almost 63% faced difficulties in doing so.

According to her, the gross domestic product (GDP) has the potential to grow by RM6 billion to RM9 billion if more women joined the labour force.

MDEC chief executive officer Surina Shukri said the programme is open to women who had stopped work for more than six months and have at least three years’ experience in the corporate sector.

“We hope participants can return to a career in this field by January next year,” she said.- FMT