THE Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) is targeting about 100 participants for this year’s PenMentor programme as it continues efforts to empower women through entrepreneurship and close the gender gap in economic participation.
PWDC chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said the programme is designed as a structured mentoring initiative rather than a one-off seminar, requiring participants to commit for three months of intensive guidance and support.
“We are expecting about 100 participants, possibly more. This is not like a one-day seminar where you can gather 200 or 300 people. PenMentor is a programme where participants stay with us for at least three months, so the focus is on quality engagement and long-term impact,” she told Buletin Mutiara.
Ong said the programme was developed following findings from studies and discussions on women’s participation in the economy, which highlighted a significant gap between male and female labour force participation.
“Currently, male participation is about 83 per cent, while female participation is only around 56 to 57 per cent. This shows there is still a big gap that needs to be addressed,” she said.
She said research showed many women enter the workforce after graduation, but participation drops significantly around the age of 28 to 30, often due to marriage and childcare responsibilities.
“That is the point where many women leave the workforce because they have children and need to manage caregiving responsibilities. One of the key solutions is stronger childcare support, especially childcare centres near workplaces, so mothers can continue working,” she said.
Ong stressed that childcare should not be seen solely as a mother’s responsibility, adding that fathers also have an important role to play.
“Today’s economy is different. In the past, one income could sustain a family. Now, in many cases, both husband and wife need to work. Fathers being more involved in childcare is an important shift we are seeing,” she said.
For women unable to remain in formal employment due to caregiving responsibilities, Ong said entrepreneurship provides a flexible alternative.
This formed the basis of PenMentor, a mentoring programme launched seven years ago to help women build sustainable businesses.
Initially introduced as a six-month programme, it was later shortened to four months and now runs for about three months to better meet participants’ needs.
“Participants wanted something more practical and faster-paced because they were eager to start earning. So we adjusted the programme to make it more effective,” she said.
The programme covers digital entrepreneurship skills, including social media marketing, selling through e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and TikTok Shop, costing strategies, and business planning through tools like the Business Model Canvas.
However, Ong said the true strength of PenMentor lies in its mentoring model.
Participants are grouped into clusters of six to 10, with two mentors assigned to each group to provide continuous support and guidance.
“The beauty of this programme is mentoring, not just training. Mentors walk with the participants throughout the process and help them avoid common mistakes through shared experience,” she said.
PWDC has continuously updated the programme to keep pace with business trends.
Last year, participants received hands-on TikTok Shop training, while this year’s programme will focus on artificial intelligence.
“Every year, we adapt to the changing business landscape. This year, AI will be a major focus because entrepreneurs need to stay ahead of the curve,” Ong said.
She also highlighted the success of PWDC’s recent Biz Ibu Tunggal initiative held in conjunction with International Women’s Day, which involved sponsors purchasing products directly from single mothers.
A total of 127 single mothers participated in the initiative and many are now being channelled into PenMentor for further development.
“Instead of simply giving assistance, we want to teach them how to build sustainable income for themselves. It is about teaching them how to fish rather than just giving them fish,” she said.
Ong said participants in the programme range from women running small home-based businesses to those already operating five- and six-figure enterprises.
Many former mentees have since returned as mentors, creating a strong support ecosystem.
She said the programme’s broader aim is to strengthen women’s economic independence, which in turn benefits families and society.
“When women earn income, most of the time they prioritise the family, especially food and education for their children. Economic empowerment also gives women greater choices in life,” she said.
Ong added that women’s financial independence can also help address wider social issues, including domestic challenges, by enabling women to make informed decisions about their future.
PenMentor is conducted in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin to ensure accessibility to women from diverse backgrounds across Penang.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian