On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale Melisa Idris explores how gender roles, stereotypes, and societal expectations shape the prospects of women in political parties, and the urgent need for change. She speaks to Dr Ummu Atiyah Ahmad Zakuan, Associate Professor at UUM and advocate for gender equality, about strategies to create a more inclusive and equal political landscape. 

On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale Melisa Idris speaks to Suraya Zainudin, Financial Activist and founder of the personal finance website RinggitOhRinggit.com. She’s also the author of the recently published book: ‘Bergaji & Pokai’ which aims to provide practical advice to building a stress-free life through realistic money management.

Women are significantly more financially impacted by life events such as death, divorce, illness, and retirement. How do we mitigate this gendered financial vulnerability? On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale Melisa Idris speaks to Rejina Rahim and Sherry Sheriff, co-founders of Wahine Capital, a fintech startup with a focus on women’s financial empowerment. 

On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale Melisa Idris speaks to freelance sign language interpreter Lucy Lim about the important role of sign language interpreters and the need to ensure communication accessibility and equal access to information for all. 

On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale, Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Jeyanny Vijayanathan, soil scientist at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and global health scientist Dr Lim Shiang Cheng about the barriers women in STEM face in pursuing postgraduate studies, and what can be done to address these barriers and encourage more women to continue their learning.

On this episode of #TheFutureIsFemale, Melisa Idris speaks to ethnomusicologist Dr Clare Chan Suet Ching about working with the Mah Meri community to preserve their indigenous songs, and efforts to build cultural resilience with the younger Mah Meri generation. Dr Clare Chan is associate professor of Ethnomusicology at the Music Department of the Faculty of Human Ecology at Universiti Putra Malaysia. 

The Women's Centre for Change (WCC) Penang has long focused the issue of sexual abuse against children and its prevention—with its roots in crisis support, now branching into capacity building and policy advocacy. On #TheFutureIsFemale, we ask our guest about the challenges and triumphs of running a women and child rights NGO.

Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Indra Selvarajah about medical music therapy. She is the Founding President of the Malaysian Music Therapy Association, Vice president of the Malaysian Society for Music & Medicine, and Chair of the Global Crises Intervention Commission for the World Federation of Music Therapy.

Melisa Idris speaks to Lily Fu, gerontologist, first-time film-maker, and founder of SeniorsAloud, which is an online community for seniors. She’s also the VP of the University of the Third Age for KL & Selangor.

Melisa Idris speaks to Christine Chin, Chairperson of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Selangor (SPCA Selangor) about responsible pet ownership and animal rescue, and what is needed to create a caring and compassionate community that lives in harmony with all animals.