Abstract

This narrative review examines the lifelong learning (LLL) ecosystem for women within the broader context of the Malaysia MADANI framework by extending the discussion beyond the conventional discourse of economic empowerment towards a more holistic and capability-oriented understanding of human development. Grounded in Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach together with the core values embedded within the MADANI framework, namely Sustainability, Prosperity, Innovation, Respect, Trust and Compassion, the review discusses the extent to which lifelong learning contributes not only towards women’s economic participation, but also towards the strengthening of dignity, agency, social participation and overall well-being. The review was developed through an interdisciplinary examination of literature, policy documents, government reports and empirical studies published between 2000 and 2025 obtained from databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC and Google Scholar. Through thematic analysis, six interrelated dimensions influencing women’s empowerment within the lifelong learning ecosystem were identified, namely sustainability, multidimensional well-being, digital citizenship, legal literacy, social trust and the professionalisation of the care industry. Findings from the review demonstrate that lifelong learning policies in Malaysia remain largely influenced by economic instrumentalism and employability-driven orientations which tend to prioritise labor market outcomes over broader dimensions of human capability development. As a consequence, important aspects including unpaid care responsibilities, women’s lived experiences, social capital formation and human dignity continue to receive limited policy attention. In addressing these gaps, the study proposes the “MADANI-Capability Matrix” as an alternative conceptual framework while highlighting the importance of integrated governance mechanisms, recognition of informal and non-formal learning, as well as the utilisation of well-being-oriented policy indicators in strengthening a more inclusive, sustainable and human-centred lifelong learning ecosystem for women in Malaysia.