For Gender Equality: Ee Sun Xin

You're currently doing your pre-university, tell us how it's like being a student at Brickfields Asia College?

As a student of BAC, I have opportunities to attend important conferences, competitions and meet interesting people including devoted lecturers who are knowledgeable in their respective fields. The first event I attended was the 1st ASEAN Entrepreneurship Summit which, in the end, inspired me to help others. From that point onwards, I started joining similar events such as the National Leadership Programme which I’m currently affiliated with. I’m currently the Political and Global Development Executive of Young Professionals Bureau.

What are your passions?

Entrepreneurship, Politics and Leadership.

You've been helping in organising workshops for women empowerment. How did you get involved with it?

I met the team behind a workshop series I attended on project management. I approached the president of "Friends to Mankind" organisation and he agreed to help me in my fund-raising project for unprivileged children.  When I asked for advice, he helped me with a lot of what he knows from his experiences and guided me on what critical points I need to think of when planning the event.

I then approached someone from General Electric as they were active in a lot of social work for Myanmar children. Since my event was targeting underprivileged children, it was a good partnership as our goals were in line.

What are your thoughts on gender equality and women's empowerment in Malaysia

What men can do, women can do as well. The skill sets that a man can acquire is the same as the skill sets a woman can learn.  Women may be built a little differently but there are no limits as to what she can achieve.  

In Malaysia,  gender diversity is still in its nascent stage. A lot of  companies are still being led by men. But that can change through having a nurturing environment wherein women are given recognition and promotions as much as men do in the fields of government and business.  It’s starting to improve now, for instance we have Hannah Yeoh and Nurul Izzah Anwar in the field of politics.

How do your events or campaigns help address this issue?

The events aim to empower young women to stand up for what they believe in, and instead of waiting for someone else to do it, they can actually make a change. We also help young women value their beauty within, and to appreciate others strengths. We teach them how to help one another.

Activities include training young women to speak up in a group especially where the males are more dominant, which is mostly the case. It helps build confidence, most young girls may not have, as this is vital in helping them become leaders.

Empowerment and leadership are two things you value. Who do you look up to for inspiration?

I look up to both my parents because I see how they act almost 24/7, many people might look up to someone who looks good on paper or the major things they have done but no one really knows how you act when you're alone or at home.

Leadership can't be learned overnight. Are there shortcuts?

Unfortunately, none. It all starts with cultivating the right values. I suggest that one must choose their friends very wisely. Some people choose friends they can talk anything to, some choose friends that makes them feel welcomed. However, the best circle of friends you can have is friends that are not afraid to be honest and are willing to do anything to grow with you. Sometimes, honesty may be hurtful but the best way to grow is to have honest opinions and people to look out for you and wants the best for you

Other than that, just as I have one, everyone needs a mentor. My father is a mentor and the right mentor is just as crucial as the right values. The mentor must have the right foundations and people must choose mentors that they want to mould into, their role models.

Base on your activities, you seem to be a busy bee. How do you keep it balanced?

Different people have different ideas of enjoyment and I do what I enjoy and when you're doing what you enjoy, you'll always have enough time for everything.

After graduation, what are your plans?

My plans are to first go into law where I'd be able to bring up and work as a team to resolve issues. I have recently been selected to be one of the possible candidates to represent Malaysia to go to the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta and that would be a start to this plan of giving my two cents worth in the world.

Furthermore, I'd love to advance in my leadership training in motivating and leading young adults to achieve their goals and to believe that they can achieve the goals they want and it all starts with the power to imagine that you can.

After that, I would love to go into politics and lead the nation to a better future because if young people are not going to do it, who else is better suited to do it?

What would be your advice for students who are yet to discover their purpose/meaning in life?