ALLIANZ LIFE STRENGTHENS GENDER EQUALITY EFFORTS WITH #SHESECURES

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd (Allianz Life) is strengthening its commitment to empowering and uplifting women by broadening its reach in Malaysia through its exclusive women’s programme #SheSecures.

Chief sales officer Raymond Cheah said #SheSecures entails a transformative programme designed to elevate female insurance agents through comprehensive skills development, leadership training and a strong support network.

“We are getting a good response in Malaysia where more than 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds attended the first session, eager to seize career opportunities. This programme offers women the flexibility to build rewarding careers while balancing family responsibilities as we offer flexible working hours,” he told Bernama.

Cheah emphasised that #SheSecures provides an invaluable opportunity for women who had to take a step back from their careers during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on family and for those seeking to balance their professional and personal aspirations with more adaptable work schedules.

“We are offering women a second chance to rebuild their careers after making sacrifices to take care of their children and become full-time housewives. Now is the time to help them return to the workforce, and Allianz Life is fully committed to supporting this transition with financial support to kick-start their entrepreneurial journey,” he said.

Cheah further noted that #SheSecures was launched in Malaysia in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 5, to empower female agents by promoting gender equality and fostering an inclusive work environment within the insurance industry.

The programme was initially launched by Allianz Asia Pacific (AZAP) in July 2024 with 35 participants from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia representing top female achievers and leaders attending the inaugural #SheSecures event in Singapore.

Within AZAP, 54 per cent of the agency population are female while the remaining 46 per cent are male.

China leads with the highest percentage of female agents at 71 per cent while Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan each have over 50 per cent female representation.

Cheah said Allianz Life aims to boost new agent recruitment through various female-focused initiatives under #SheSecures. “At Allianz Life, we already have more female than male agents, with a 60:40 ratio. The difference is even more pronounced striking among our top producers, where 80 per cent are female and only 20 per cent male,” he added.

Cheah said as an insurance company, Allianz Life recognises its social responsibility to provide job security for women by equipping them with the right skills, continuous training, development opportunities, and a structured career path for long-term success. 

-- BERNAMA