Women in Malaysia real estate industry (WIRE) professional challenges and opportunities

This research is aimed to identify and understand professional challenges attached to Women in Real Estate (WIRE) sector specifically in Malaysia. As we can see today, Malaysian women are highly important in contributing to the country’s economic and social development. Despite the increasing number of WIRE today, women still are facing a lot of challenges that hinder them to excel to a higher level in their profession successfully. Undoubtedly, in Malaysia the contribution of WIRE cannot be denied either by other key players or many other stakeholders within the sector. Challenges such as gender equality, risks, discrimination, cultural, risks of sexual harassment and etc have hampered their potentiality and capability to contribute to the national profession and WIRE development at large. Therefore, this paper will discuss on WIRE participation and involvement in Malaysia’s Real Estate Sector (MRES). Over the years women participation in Malaysia’s labour force has gradually increased. Equal access to the educational opportunities could be a significant driver for the growing contribution of WIRE in MRES. Despite the immense challenges being faced by the WIRE, many great opportunities could also been seen to potentially excel their professionalism. This questionnaire study is conducted by disseminating questionnaire to 100 professional WIRE registered under The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Malaysia (BOVEA). The significance of the study is to help the WIRE to appreciate the value of their practice, prepare for challenges, and seek for equal opportunities in MRES professionally. Generalisations and findings from this research can be used as best practice guidance for WIRE by BOVEA in order to support WIRE’s career advancement and in the meantime it will inspire many women in Malaysia to join this sector as registered WIRE.