Ageing isn’t gender-neutral, so neither should our approach be.Dr Julitta OnabanjoThis year, the Malaysian government will begin rolling out the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which outlines comprehensive strategies designed to prepare the nation as it begins its transition into an aged nation. As an ageing nation, Malaysia recognises the critical importance of taking immediate and proactive measures to meet the impending challenges of its demographic transition. The recently released RMK13 and the upcoming National Ageing Blueprint (NAB) contain well-articulated strategies for long-term care and social protection. Strengthening the care ecosystem was identified as a critical strategy, alongside improving the quality and professionalism of its talent, expanding community-based care for children, disabled and elderly people and exploring Long-Term Care insurance schemes, as practiced in other ageing nations around the world. These strategies are necessary and commendable as the population ages and care burdens rise. However, there is a way Malaysia can further streamline its efforts and reap the benefits of a second demographic dividend, and that is by centering gender within its approach to ageing – specifically through employing a life-cycle approach to policymaking. Understanding the Life-Cycle ApproachA life-cycle approach takes into account how our health and well-being are shaped by a series of interconnected stages, from before birth, through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, through to older age. The framework takes into consideration the interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors across these stages, which is especially crucial in the context of demographic changes like population aging. The great advantage of a life-cycle approach is that it starkly reveals how ageing is not a gender-neutral experience. Gender plays a central role in how an individual experiences different life stages – persistent gender inequalities can influence the health and wellbeing of individuals at different life stages, the opportunities they receive across the life cycle, and ultimately their physical and material welfare in old age. Ageing and Gender Men and women do not experience aging the same way. According to the Malaysian Ageing and Retirement Survey (MARS) conducted by Universiti Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Research Centre, women in Malaysia live longer than men, surviving to an average of 78 years – however they do so with significantly fewer resources, and in poorer health.Female-headed households among the elderly are also disproportionately represented in the B40 group, often surviving on nearly half the mean income of their male counterparts.The vulnerability of older women is not an accident of nature, but the cumulative result of a lifetime of gender inequality. Addressing the challenges of an ageing nation necessarily demands us to address gender inequality, because the two are inextricably linked. Compounding gender inequalities across the life cycle can lead to poorer outcomes in old age. Applying a life cycle approach, we can see how cultural norms that overwhelmingly place the burden of care work onto working-age women (including caring for children and elderly parents) lead to interrupted careers, lower Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings and a lack of formal pension coverage in old age. Poor access to sexual and reproductive health services and education for adolescents can also lead to teen pregnancies and child marriages, with knock-on impacts on their educational and career attainment, and ultimately their financial welfare as they age. Discrimination, stigma against working mothers and gender based violence across a woman’s life cycle also impacts their ability to participate fully in education, the labour force and public life more broadly. These are not “women’s issues” with limited impact on only a certain subset of the population. Women make up half of the nation’s population, and consequently the impacts of gender inequality have a direct impact on the welfare of families, communities, and entire countries at large. When women are unable to participate in the labour force due to existing structural inequalities, the country loses out on untapped economic potential. Tapping into this hidden economic powerhouse is what will drive Malaysia’s growth and development through its demographic transition. Not to forget that women also make up the majority of the care workforce. Addressing gender inequalities (including closing the gender wage gap, recognising unpaid care work and women’s “double burdens” and cracking down on gender based violence) inevitably strengthens the care ecosystem, which is vital for sustaining an ageing population. 2026: The Year to Watch The next five years are the "final sprint" for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the 2030 deadline. It is also a pivotal moment for international cooperation, as seen in the recent inaugural ASEAN-UNFPA Forum on Population Dynamics and Development, held last November in Kuala Lumpur. The forum underscored a vital lesson: gender equality is the key to unlocking reproductive agency and inter-generational solidarity.To "raise the floor" for all Malaysians, national policies must embrace gender mainstreaming. What this means in practice is truly recognising the knowledge, experience, lived realities and needs of both men and women, and reflecting that in the policies we design and the projects we embark on. In the context of an ageing Malaysia, the life cycle approach seamlessly embodies this. The "fertility dilemma" and "ageing dilemma" are two sides of the same coin. Under the lifecycle approach, investing in SRH education, maternity protections, childcare, and elderly care today will also be a direct investment into the financial security of tomorrow’s older women.We also cannot make true progress on gender equality and dignified ageing without comprehensive gender-disaggregated data. We cannot fix what we do not measure. As such, all ageing-related metrics must be disaggregated by gender to ensure targeted interventions reach those most at risk.Walking TogetherUNFPA has accompanied Malaysia’s development journey for 53 years – from the days as a young nation with high fertility, to the current status as a rapidly ageing society. At the end of the day, effectively addressing ageing demands more than building childcare centers and nursing homes; it demands a fundamental shift in how we value women's contributions across their entire lives. 2026 is the year to watch. As we embark on the 13MP and the next UNFPA Country Programme cycle (2026-2030), let us work towards a future where every Malaysian, regardless of gender, can age with dignity.Dr Julitta Onabanjo is the UNFPA in Malaysia Representative and Country Director of UNFPA in Thailand.  ___________________________________________________________________About United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, working to uphold the rights and choices of women, girls and young people across more than 150 countries. Through our work, we ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfil their potential.References: https://www.adb.org/publications/malaysia-ageing-retirement-survey-wave…https://recare.my/https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/news/ageing-societies-youth-potential-unfpa-asean-forum-explores-future-southeast-asias-populationshttps://malaysia.unfpa.org/en/news/op-ed-changing-narrative-fertility-rateshttps://malaysia.unfpa.org/en/news/op-ed-narrowing-data-gaps-ensure-no-woman-or-girl-malaysia-left-behind

Malaysia is undergoing a rapid demographic transition. By 2030, one in six Malaysians will be aged 60 or above. Combined with rising noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) rates and widening social inequalities, the need for cities to foster healthier living environments has never been more urgent.WHO organized the Mayors’ Meeting on Strengthening Healthy Settings under Age Friendly Cities & Communities along with the Penang Island City Council and the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) on 25–26 November. The meeting witnessed participation from various city representatives of Malaysia (both AFCC Member cities and others), as well as representatives from the region.In Malaysia, as in many countries, the cities are at the centre of rapid change as the country moves rapidly toward becoming an ageing nation. Nearly 80 per cent of Malaysians now live in urban areas.  Urban challenges such as NCDs, air pollution, climate impacts, road traffic accidents, and widening inequalities remind us that health is shaped by the places where people live, work, study and age. This is why the role of mayors and city leaders is so critical. Cities are not only administrative units; they are living systems where policy decisions translate directly into healthier or unhealthier daily lives. Welcoming the participants, Dr Deepa Gamage, Public Health Specialist-Disease Control shared “This Mayors’ Meeting brings together a truly unique group including, local government leaders, health officials, international partners and advocates who all share one mission, to strengthen healthy settings and make our cities that enable people to live well with good health, wellbeing, and resilience, at every stage of life.” She added, “The World Health Organization remains committed to supporting Malaysia and its cities through technical guidance, best practices and stronger collaboration across Western Pacific Region, partnerships with networks represented here today.”  Participants emphasized that creating healthy, age-friendly communities requires more than health services alone; it demands political commitment, cross-sector collaboration, and people-centred city planning. The meeting aimed to do exactly that. Leaders examined how Malaysia can accelerate a healthy life-course approach, which supports well-being from childhood to older age through Healthy Cities, Healthy Schools, Healthy Workplaces, Age-Friendly Environments, and other settings-based initiatives. It provided a platform for learning from practical experiences in Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, especially the innovative, people-centred solutions that make healthy living easier and more accessible for everyone. Penang, already recognized for its innovative approaches to age-friendly and inclusive urban development, provided a fitting backdrop. Its commitment to mobility, gender-responsive planning, community participation and digital inclusion showcased what is possible when cities put healthy living at the heart of governance. Against the backdrop of Penang’s leadership in healthy and age-friendly urban planning, the meeting brought together city mayors, national policymakers, healthy settings networks, civil society groups, academia and WHO experts from regional and country office to chart the next phase of Malaysia’s Healthy Settings movement. We truly believe, the future strength of the cities depends on the health of our people. Our aim is for the older persons to live a productive and dignified life sustaining financial security, way beyond retirement. We are also ready to take on a broader role for supporting, guiding and coaching other Malaysian cities to be part of the Age Friendly Cities & Communities network,” said Dato’ Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony, Mayor, City Council of Penang Island. The Mayors’ Meeting focused on strengthening political commitment with city and national leaders discussing the urgent need to reduce NCDs risk factors, tackle the social determinants of health and build environments that empower older adults to maintain independence and functional ability. While reinforcing the role of local governments as essential partners in national health goals. It also focused on sharing experiences and lessons from cities across Malaysia and selected ASEAN countries. With representatives showcasing practical solutions, from active mobility and age-friendly transport to community inclusion, housing design and preventive health programmes. Officials and experts also outlined strategies to expand, scale, sustain and measure initiatives in the country, ensuring long-term impact and accountability.The meeting featured many high-level roundtable discussions, and fire-side chat sessions. In one of the key sessions,Good Practices, Lessons Learned, and Key Considerations for Ensuring Healthy Cities Moving Forward. Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Kuching South City Council Mayor shared “We are here not only to share what we have done for our cities, but also to learn a lot from other’s experiences.’ He added “I would like to see many other cities from Malaysia joining the WHO Age Friendly Cities & Communities Network as we need to form a larger collective and learn from the experiences, and it is worthy cause of investing our time and efforts.” As the meeting concluded, participants expressed optimism, not only about improving health, but also about creating cities where every person, regardless of age or background can thrive.

In Malaysia, Sabah stands at the intersection of geographical location, migration patterns and socioeconomic vulnerability which creates health gaps, particularly for children from immigrant and undocumented communities. Preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and rubella among these populations is not just a State priority it is essential for national and regional public health.The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore worked closely with the State health department, local partners and other stakeholders to facilitate a large-scale measles and rubella vaccination campaign for immigrant children in Sabah. Bringing vaccines to the childrenIn Sabah, Alternate Learning Centres (ALCs) play a critical role in providing basic education to children from migrant and undocumented families who cannot enroll in formal schools. Recognizing these centres as trusted community hubs, WHO supported targeted on-site vaccination camps to minimize barriers related to access, cost and documentation status.Thanks to this approach, the campaign successfully reached over 6,000 children from migrant and undocumented families, many receiving their very first vaccination. By meeting children where they are, the initiative ensured that those with limited or no access to routine immunization services were protected.Despite significant operational challenges, including the northeast monsoon, difficult terrain and the State elections, the campaign moved forward through close coordination with local stakeholders. The National Cancer Society of Malaysia provided crucial on ground support which was instrumental in logistical assistance, community engagement and on-the-ground mobilization to ensure families were informed and confident about vaccinating their children. Several health teams traveled long distances, often navigating flooded roads and unpredictable weather, to ensure that no child was left behind. The result was not only high vaccination uptake, but also strengthened trust between health authorities and marginalized communities.Impact beyond the numbersVaccinating over 6000 children against measles and rubella delivers immediate protection, but the broader impact extends well beyond this number. Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases and outbreaks can quickly cross borders, particularly in regions with high population mobility such as Borneo and the wider subregion.From a national health perspective, closing immunity gaps among immigrant populations is essential to sustaining Malaysia’s progress toward measles elimination and rubella control. From a regional standpoint, it contributes to collective health security by reducing the risk of cross-border transmission and outbreaks that can strain health systems.The campaign also demonstrated the value of adaptive, community-based service delivery, an approach that is increasingly relevant as countries work to recover and strengthen essential health services following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore said “This vaccination initiative underscores how inclusive health strategies anchored in partnerships and community trust can deliver tangible results even in complex settings. By aligning global technical guidance from WHO with national priorities and local implementation capacity, Malaysia has always demonstrated leadership in protecting public health for all who live within its borders.”For many of the children, this was their first vaccination. Bringing the services closer to their homes meant that lives and futures were protected. It also reassured parents that vaccination is safe and important.The weather and timing were challenging, but the enthusiastic response from the community made every effort worthwhile. Parents were eager, and the collaboration between all the partners allowed the high impact on ground to reach children who are often invisible in the system. A father who was accompanying his children shared “I was always worried about my children’s health, but it is not easy for us to go to clinics. When the vaccination team came to the learning centre, it gave me peace of mind. I could vaccinate my child without any financial struggle and trust the process fully.”   As population mobility and health inequities remain defining challenges for the region, experiences from Sabah offer valuable lessons. Reaching the unreached is both possible and essential for achieving universal health coverage and safeguarding regional health security.

The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), and the United Nations in Malaysia jointly commemorated Human Rights Day 2025 with a Forum titled “Protecting Our Future Generations: Human Rights for All.”The programme was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform). In her remarks, YB Dato’ Sri Azalina emphasised that protecting the rights and dignity of every child is not an option, it is the foundation of Malaysia’s moral strength and our shared responsibility to future generations. As harms evolve, she stressed, our laws and institutions must evolve even faster. Human rights can only flourish when systems are credible, transparent, and accountable. No child should suffer in silence, whether online or offline, and policies affecting children must never be made without hearing their voices. YB Dato’ Sri Azalina affirmed the Government’s commitment to building a Malaysia where every child is safe, valued, and empowered to dream boldly and live fully. In his welcoming address, SUHAKAM Chairman, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, emphasised: “As we reflect on today’s theme, it is important to recognise that protecting future generations requires sustained commitment in policy development, institutional accountability, and public awareness. He underscored that human rights are a shared responsibility involving government agencies, civil society organisations, educators, parents, and the wider community.” In his Opening Address, Mr. Robert Gass, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., emphasized: “Human rights are lived or denied in the everyday experiences of every child, in the safety of a home, the fairness of a classroom, the justice of a courtroom, and the dignity of a clinic. As Malaysia strengthens its institutions and renews its commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we are reminded that children are not passive beneficiaries but rights-holders whose futures depend on the choices we make today. Our task is simple but profound: to close the gap between the rights we proclaim and the realities children experience." Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” holds particular significance for Malaysia as the nation marks 30 years since acceding to the CRC and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and 15 years since ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). These international commitments have shaped key national reforms, and as Malaysia prepares for its review with the Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2026, the Forum reaffirmed the importance of sustaining positive momentum through continued dialogue, capacity-building, and strong inter-institutional cooperation. The Forum, moderated by Ms. Sitti Najihah Md Rusli from UNICEF Malaysia, featured an in-depth panel discussion titled “Children’s Rights in Malaysia: From Commitments to Monitoring and Accountability.” The discussion brought together Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki, Chief Children’s Commissioner of SUHAKAM; Mr. Asmar Asmadi Bin Abdullah Sani, Undersecretary of the Policy and Strategic Planning Division of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; YA Datin Paduka Evrol Mariette Peters, Judge of the Court of Appeal representing the Judiciary, YB Syereleena Abdul Rashid, Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera and Member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development; Mr. Thiyagu Ganesan, Deputy Director General (Law Reform) of BHEUU and Ms. Jessie Lee Jie Xing, youth representative and Member of the Children’s Consultative Council (2025–2027), SUHAKAM.The Forum also witnessed the launching ceremony of SUHAKAM “Belia Peduli Hak” module by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform). This module is a practical resource designed to enhance awareness, empowerment, and meaningful participation among young people across the country. In her closing remarks, Yang Berbahagia Datin Paduka Anizan Siti Hajjar Adnin, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored that protecting children demands a whole-of-society approach, strengthened through broader partnerships with civil society to enhance transparency and accountability. Yang Berbahagia Datin Paduka Anizan Siti Hajjar Adnin further underlined that this commitment reflects the Malaysia Madani vision, which upholds trust, cooperation and the creation of an inclusive and compassionate society for all Malaysians. The Forum was attended by more than 450 participants from the Government agencies, the diplomatic corps, youth, academia, the private sector, civil society organisations and the media.