Women Build Publishing Culture was one of the strongest messages shared by Sadia Anwar after attending the International Publishers Congress in Kuala Lumpur. Her reflections highlight how women are shaping publishing, encouraging reading, and creating opportunities for others across the world.
Sadia Anwar said there was a time when many women had to write under male pen names to be taken seriously. Writers such as George Eliot, George Sand, and the Brontë sisters are reminders of those challenges. Today, she believes the publishing industry has changed, with more women leading publishing houses, influencing policy, and supporting future generations.
She also reflected on her own journey into publishing. In 2019, she received a Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) Startup Weekend grant for innovation in publishing during Sharjah’s UNESCO World Book Capital year. The initiative was led by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. According to Anwar, that opportunity encouraged her to make publishing her career.
She also acknowledged the support of several international publishing leaders. She thanked Emma House for offering guidance on building a publishing house. She credited Gvantsa Jobava for opening new opportunities after they met at the Frankfurt Book Fair. She also praised Adibah Omar and Perbadanan Kota Buku for their efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s reading culture. In addition, she highlighted the inspiring work of Iman Ben Chaibah in the publishing sector.
Women Build Publishing Culture remains the message Anwar wants to celebrate. She believes women continue to preserve stories, languages, traditions, and memories while also leading the institutions that publish and share them with readers worldwide. She said she feels honoured to be part of this growing global community of women in publishing.
