Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Celebrates 10 Years, Empowering 2,617 Weavers Across ASEAN

The Maybank Women Eco-Weavers (MWEW) program marks a decade of empowering women and preserving weaving heritage across the ASEAN region. As of June 30, 2026, the initiative has directly benefited 2,617 women weavers in five countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines.

Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Maybank, emphasized that the program's success demonstrates how cultural preservation and economic empowerment can go hand-in-hand. He highlighted the collaborative effort involving weavers, farmers, program partners, and communities. "This journey was not built by one party alone, but through the collaboration of women weavers, farmers, program partners, communities, and various parties who have together preserved weaving heritage for a decade, continue to drive women's economic independence, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods," Shahril stated.

MWEW aims to build a sustainable ecosystem from upstream to downstream, focusing not only on traditional weaving but also on environmental practices. Since its launch in Lombok, Indonesia, in 2016, the program has expanded to connect women weavers, natural fiber farmers, and communities. This ecosystem encompasses natural fiber and sericulture cultivation, natural dyeing, weaving, product innovation, and market access, all designed to bolster women's economic independence and promote eco-friendly production.

The program has also supported 3,024 farmers in four ASEAN nations, cultivating over 813,500 mulberry trees, 55,300 cotton plants, and 18,700 abaca trees. To enhance community capacity, MWEW has established 13 weaving training centers, one weaving gallery, and one natural dye laboratory across ASEAN. The program's 10th anniversary was a key agenda at the Maybank Marathon Sustainability Day 2026 in Bali, featuring appreciation ceremonies, talks, workshops, and an "Impact Society Positively through Partnership" session.

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This journey was not built by one party alone, but through the collaboration of women weavers, farmers, program partners, communities, and various parties who have together preserved weaving heritage for a decade, continue to drive women's economic independence, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods.