Equi Participates in WEP's APAC Women's Empowerment Forum

• Nora Fraser, chief executive of Equi Consultancy Partners, has attended the 2025 Asia-Pacific WEPs Forum in Kuala Lumpur
• 200 plus Women leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers converged on the event

Equi Consultancy Partners CEO Nora Fraser participated in the 2025 Asia-Pacific WEPs Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Over 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development partners from more than 15 countries came together to share experiences, forge alliances, and expand opportunities for gender equality as a foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The two-day forum, themed “Business. Innovation. Impact.” was organized by the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Nora, in her speech at the event, commented that although women continue to experience obstacles that restrict their economic opportunities, the forum highlights the importance of uniting policy and leaders to reach out for solidified progress rather than remain stuck in the past.

This will provide a platform for cities, marketplaces, and capital markets to support women entrepreneurs and their leadership roles through concrete measures.

She also stated that this was an excellent opportunity for regional changemakers to connect with each other to discuss ways to take the policies outlined in the event's discussions, as well as identify new digitalization, AI and green innovations, and other technology-based economic tools available to women.

The Forum discussed numerous problems found in the status of women in the Asia-Pacific region on various issues, such as women's labor force participation stands at 46 percent, compared with 74 percent for men.

Emerging sectors include, among others, AI, digital technologies, green jobs, and sustainable finance, inclusive procurement practices will contribute to empowering WOBs and GREs.

The Gender Action Lab and WE RISE Together, both initiated by UN Women, are programs designed to develop frameworks for organizations to effectively create policies for equitable workplaces, develop leadership skills of women and create equitable opportunities for economic growth across the globe.

Partner organizations highlighted the need to create an environment that creates equal opportunities for all genders by removing barriers that exist in workplaces, marketplaces, and Capital Markets, as well as the role of these organizations to encourage inclusive growth by creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs through education and support from stock exchanges, regulators, and other investors.

The forum concluded with a call to action for increased innovation, collaboration, and the development of practical initiatives to promote gender equality and empower women throughout the Asia/Pacific region.

Equi Consultancy Partners is committed to implementing the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles as a means to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in workplaces, marketplaces, and communities throughout the world.