Image credit: Canva
Basic digital skills are becoming increasingly vital for employment opportunities and access to essential services. In the context of women’s participation in the digital economy, these skills are key to fostering economic empowerment and promoting greater inclusion.
In Malaysia, enhancing women’s involvement in the digital economy is essential to improving their overall socioeconomic status. At the same time, focused efforts to expand access to technology, strengthen digital literacy, and encourage digital entrepreneurship are critical steps toward narrowing the digital gender divide and building a more inclusive and equitable society.
In Penang, the Penang Women Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme (PenMentor) returns for its sixth edition from August to October 2025, continuing its mission to empower women entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on digital skills. Organised by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), the programme offers four intensive training modules and six mentorship sessions. Participants will be grouped based on language namely Malay, English, and, for the first time, Mandarin; with each group accommodating 35 women, further divided into smaller subgroups for more personalised guidance. [1]
In collaboration with Digital Penang, this year’s edition places greater emphasis on digital marketing. Participants will attend two-day workshops covering trending tools and platforms such as TikTok Shop, Canva, and CapCut. The programme targets Penang-based women aged 18 and above, particularly those running micro or start-up businesses that are less than two years old. Fees are set at RM200 for B40 participants, and RM400 for those from the M40 and T20 income groups. [2]
Since its launch in 2020, PenMentor has empowered over 350 women, many of whom have reported increased income and business growth. Notable success stories include Chitthi Spice, which has expanded its market reach to Canada and East Malaysia. State Executive Councillor Lim Siew Khim has highlighted the importance of equipping women entrepreneurs with digital readiness, especially given that only 20.6% of Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are women-owned. Programmes like PenMentor play a vital role in closing this gap and strengthening women’s contributions to the economy. [3]
As Malaysia pushes forward in the digital era, initiatives like PenMentor demonstrate how strategic support and inclusive programming can unlock women’s potential in the digital economy. By equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need, such programmes not only uplift individuals but also contribute to national growth and innovation.
Footnotes
- Tanushalini, M. (2025). PWDC’s PenMentor programme gears up to enhance women’s digital skills. https://www.buletinmutiara.com/https-www-buletinmutiara-com-pwdcs-penmentor-programme-gears-up-to-boost-womens-digital-skills/ ↩︎
- See Footnote 2. ↩︎
- See Footnote 2. ↩︎