DNB & Partners Srive to Bridge Malaysia's Gender Digital Divide through EmpowerHER Digital

• Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Ministry of Digital, MDEC, and Maxis Berhad spearheaded the second instalment of the EmpowerHER Digital Program
• It is a nationwide program aimed at empowering B40 women, seeks to empower women to succeed in the expanding digital economy

Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), the Ministry of Digital, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and Maxis Berhad spearheaded the second edition of the EmpowerHER Digital Program last Friday. This national program aims to equip B40 women with key digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills to enable them to thrive in the digital economy.

After its successful launch at SME Corp on March 6, 2025, the program seeks to empower no fewer than 2,000 B40 women nationwide with essential digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills. Participators will receive structured training, mentoring, and exposure to online resources in order to empower them to become financially independent and confident business operators.

At the event held at Menara Maxis, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo laid stress on equal accessibility of digital opportunities. "EmpowerHER Digital empowers women with everything they need to thrive, be it content creation and online advertising or money management," he went on. "It's an illustration that the digital platform is accessible to anyone—not only to specialists."

DNB Chief Executive Officer Azman Ismail emphasized the ability of technology to transform businesses, particularly with 5G. "Digital connectivity allows entrepreneurs to access new markets at a speedy pace and streamline their processes using innovation and automation," he explained.

MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the program is part of MDEC’s broader mission to support a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy. “By empowering women, we’re building stronger communities and preparing businesses for the future,” he added.

Maxis CEO Goh Seow Eng spoke again of the company's commitment to empowering women through actionable resources and training. "Our assistance involves conducting workshops on financial literacy, digital competencies, and technologies such as generative AI—all designed to assist women in creating strong businesses," he added.

As part of DNB's larger initiative towards digital inclusion, the program also ensures long-term sustainability. The beneficiaries will continue to enjoy collaborations with Malaysia Digital-status (MD) businesses, acquiring free or discounted access to instruments, financial knowledge, and mentorship.

The event featured interactive fireside sessions and hands-on workshops on various subjects such as generative AI, financial literacy, and digital branding. Guests of honor were MDEC's Carol Fung, professionals from Maxis, and entrepreneurs like Sue Chan (Suchan Patisserie), Kalaivany (Kalai Fashion), and Ida Farini Othman (Gogy Natural). Maxis also encouraged the digitalization grants provided under the government's Geran Digital PMKS Madani program.

EmpowerHER Digital will grow throughout Malaysia through strategic collaboration with government and industry, making it a leader in driving digital equity and inclusion.