Education is perceived as having contributed significantly to the recent and rapid
development of Malaysia economically, as well as having a primary function in
socializing children into accepted community values and behaviour. It is clear that
women have played a full part in this development, across a wide range of sectors and
this has been happening not only because of labour demand, but also due to
governmental efforts to incorporate women effectively in the process. This chapter
details the different types of educational opportunities open to women on an equal basis
to men as well as their participation in the economic, social and political dimensions of
Malaysian life.
An historical account of the development of the profile of female education is provided,
showing phases of increased participation in response to different factors such as
mission activity and military conflict. The achievement of independence provided a
major opportunity, and by 1970 the enrolment rate for girls at primary level was 85 per
cent, while at secondary level 44 per cent for lower and 16 per cent for upper. Given the
macro multi ethnic picture there is obviously some variation as between the major
components. There is also some disparity even today as between urban and rural areas
of the country, but most boys and girls are attending school at least up to the age of 15.
After that various forms of selection begin to play a significant part in the appearance
of greater gender differentiation. In particular the participation of girls in vocational and
technical education is still low, providing only about 25 per cent of the total enrolment
in this sector, and being concentrated in traditional 'female' programmes. However,
there are signs of a change of attitude on a small scale. At tertiary level the
representation of women in most subject areas is strong. The article provides data to
illustrate the situation in all sectors of education and employment.
Over the last decade, the proportion of the labour force that is female has risen, while
that of males has correspondingly fallen. Nonetheless, women are both vertically and
horizontally, clustering in manual and clerical jobs, though at the professional levels,
where high achieving females are breaking through, there is evidence of increased
appointments in medicine, dentistry, accounting law and university teaching. Women
are increasingly active and effective in social development fields as their self-concept
and self development profiles have strengthened. Such confidence building experiences
have also projected increased numbers of women into Malaysian politics at various
levels.
So the major problems facing Malaysian women are now those arising from having to
combine occupational and domestic responsibilities. Constraints on their geographical
mobility lead to tensions in both professional and skilled manual sectors. The author
concludes that the issues that most need to be addressed concern the workplace, conflict
between women's traditional and modem roles, and leadership.