ABIR ABDUL RAHIM is passionate about two things in life. The 30-year-old feels at home in the field of risk management and number crunching as she was trained as an actuarist and is working full-time at Takaful Malaysia.
But the other “hat” she wears with pride is as a volunteer, which is something she loves more than anything else. Abir founded the Asian Women Circle (AWC), an empowerment platform set up in 2015 with a friend.
“AWC aims to address the issues of women dropping out of the workforce in Malaysia, and also the lack of women in senior management positions.”
According to Abir, many women left the workforce to have children and raise a family.
“The number increases every year. There is a need to get them back because it will be a waste of talent if nothing is done. We should have more women in the workforce, especially in leadership and decision-making roles.”
Her interest in advocating women empowerment began when she returned to Malaysia after finishing her studies in the United Kingdom a few years ago.
“The society that I came back to did not quite appreciate a woman’s achievements. I had a first-hand experience when I was told that ‘I was not good enough’, simply because I am a woman.
“Feeling slightly demotivated, I looked out for women leaders who have done it all, but was disappointed.
“There is a lack of women leaders, especially in the corporate sector. Only five per cent are chief executive officers. This fuelled my desire to change the scene, move the needle and help empower my fellow women to be the best version of themselves.”
Being a professional and a community leader gives Abir a sense of purpose in life. Her passion made sure that she made the best out of her time.
She says there is a stigma that a woman is more suited at home than in the office.
“But what if I don’t want to be at home or in the kitchen? Gender inequality was not a subject taught at school. We grew up with a lack of awareness about these topics.
“Faced with challenges at home and at work because of this stigma, many women don’t know what to do. That is why you start seeing women dropping out of the workforce because of the lack of support.”
Abir says AWC champions initiatives under Lean In Malaysia, a women-led non-profit organisation inspired by the Lean In movement started by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.
“Lean In Malaysia harnesses the power of leadership and community to embolden women. It aims to provide a strong support system and break the stigma, change the narrative, and allow everyone to pursue their ambitions both personally and professionally based on informed decisions.”
The movement has over 4,000 members and received positive backing from not only the government, but also the corporate sector.
“Many top leaders from start-ups to big companies have reached out to us to learn about how they can create a platform for their female colleagues. We want women to know that there is a support system for them.
Abir is busy preparing for Lean In Malaysia’s unConference 2018 on Dec 8 at Lanai Kijang Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpur.
Themed “What’s Next? Leveling Up The Conversation”, the annual flagship event will gather speakers from various backgrounds and industries. The event will focus on adjustments or differences that women can take to be more empowered in the decisions that they make.
Abir says her mother, Datin Mahidah Abd Wahab, is her greatest inspiration.
“There are many inspiring women out there, of course, but my hero has always been my mom.
“At the age of 57, she is pursuing her PhD in Education. How can you not be inspired when you see your mom waking up early to make breakfast for her family, and then travel from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur for lectures.
She says her mother taught her that no ambition is too big, and that it is never too late for anyone to follow their dreams.
“My mom always tells me to be whoever I want to be, and get all the money in the world while I am at it.”
It was her deep interest in Mathematics and Additional Mathematics in secondary school that motivated Abir to take up actuarial science.
“There is a lack of Bumiputeras in the field. Maybe many people feel it is a tough discipline. I took the course as a challenge and to prove that nothing is impossible. No mountain is too high.”
Abir enrolled at Swansea University, Wales, where she completed her degree in actuarial science with first-class honours. She later obtained a Masters in Actuarial Management from Cass Business School, London, and was among 12 recipients of the King Scholarship Award.
She began her involvement in student associations and voluntary work during her time in UK.
“Once a month, I would travel from Swansea to London to perform my duties at the United Kingdom and Eire Council of Malaysian Students (UKEC) as its treasurer. UKEC is a student council for student activism. The experience developed my leadership skills and shaped my views on the importance of giving back to society.
Abir’s professional goal is to become a chief executive officer of a public listed company before the age of 40.
“I plan to work hard to achieve this. There is no woman CEO in the Takaful industry yet. I hope to change that.
“I hope that Lean In Malaysia would be a platform for all to turn to for support, not just for the corporates, but for the government of the day, homemakers, entrepreneurs, career breakers and youths.”
And yes, another goal of hers is to start a family of her own while doing all the above!