The National Policy on Women (DWN), revised in 2009, explicitly upholds the aspiration to achieve gender equality and balanced, sustainable national development. It also draws inspiration from Malaysia's commitments to several international instruments, including CEDAW, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the Putrajaya Declaration and Programme of Action on the Advancement of Women in NAM Member States.

This updated policy is complemented by the Women’s Development Action Plan (PTPW), which outlines the objectives, strategies, activities, and outcomes required for the government and various stakeholders to achieve the foundational goals and objectives of the DWN.