COMMENT We have a problem, as a nation, in retaining women in the workforce.

According to the Labour Force Survey Time Series Data 1982-2013 released by the Department of Statistics, it is estimated that there were 327,700 women in Penang’s workforce in 2013.

In other words, the participation rate of women in the labour force in Penang was 57 percent. In comparison, the national women’s labour force participation rate during that period was 52.4 percent.

Out of the Penang total, it is estimated that 321,300 women were working while 6,500 women were unemployed, making the unemployment rate two percent. At the same time, a total of 247,300 women were outside the labour force, which means that they are not looking to enter the workforce. This includes students and housewives...