About Us
ASEAN Malaysia
“AWEN Malaysia champions the voice of women entrepreneurs, connecting them to opportunities across ASEAN. We empower Malaysian women-led businesses through advocacy, capacity building, and cross-border networks — positioning them as leaders of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth in the region.”
ASEAN Women Entrepreneur Network – Malaysia Chapter
The ASEAN Women Entrepreneur Network (AWEN) Malaysia is the national focal point representing Malaysian women entrepreneurs within the ASEAN regional platform. Established under the umbrella of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), AWEN serves as a bridge between women-led enterprises, policymakers, and regional business councils, ensuring that the voices of Malaysian women entrepreneurs are heard at both national and international levels.
What We Do
- Policy Advocacy: Representing Malaysia in AWEN’s regional dialogues to influence policies that support women in business.
- Capacity Building: Organizing training, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing programs to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ competitiveness.
- Market Access: Facilitating cross-border trade and investment opportunities for Malaysian women-led MSMEs.
- Collaboration: Partnering with ASEAN-BAC, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to create an enabling ecosystem.
Why It Matters
Women entrepreneurs are a driving force of Malaysia’s economy and a catalyst for inclusive growth across ASEAN. By connecting Malaysian women to the 300+ million women across ASEAN, AWEN Malaysia ensures that their businesses are not only locally impactful but also regionally and globally competitive.
Malaysia’s Focal Point
Nuraizah brings with her extensive experience in building technology based companies and currently runs Madcash, a Fintech that provides interest free micro-financing and entrepreneurship development program to women running micro businesses. She was the founding member of AWEN and would be able to contribute her skills to grow AWEN locally and regionally.
Her Deputy, Ms. Saliza Abdullah is the Group Managing Director of BG Capital Holdings with experience in running multi generation business in industries of private security and publishing.
Dr. Leez Hassan is an industrial psychologist and leadership development specialist with strong experience in mentoring professionals and entrepreneurs. As Founder of ADLA Group and the Women Mentoring Network, she supports AWEN’s mission by strengthening leadership and mentoring capacity locally and regionally.
Renuka Sena is an impact-focused investor and ecosystem builder with over two decades of experience scaling purpose-driven ventures. As Co-founder of ScaleUp Malaysia and Proficeo, she has mentored more than 2,000 entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Her regional work with YSEALI and the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s ImpactLink programme strengthens women-led impact ventures, while her combined founder insight and investment discipline continue to shape and advance impactful entrepreneurship.
Anja Juliah Abu Bakar is a changemaker and social entrepreneur who envisions a world where businesses grow with purpose and responsibility. As the founder of Athena Empowers, she mentors women social entrepreneurs and champions sustainable practices that drive positive social change. Anja is also an ESG advocate, empowering SMEs to understand and begin their sustainability journey towards a more inclusive and responsible future.
