Feminism and the Women's Movement in Malaysia

This study provides an account of the multiple struggles of the Malaysian women's movement - from securing gender equality in a patriarchal society to achieving unity among members of a multi-ethnic society that are further divided along class and religious lines. While most historical versions of national struggles have created icons out of male figures - usually prominent politicians - this study provides a corrective. It details the important role of the women's movement, led by numerous unsung personalities, in promoting social change in Malaysia. A crucial argument is made: that in the context of an ethnically fragmented post-colonial, authoritarian society, an autonomous women's movement which began in the early eighties had actually achieved significant political successes, introducing new issues into public debate and confronting the dictates of the state. But the study observes that by the late 1990s, feminist issues were also readily appropriated and instrumentalized by the state and the market. Itargues that the emergence of 'market feminism' poses specific challenges for the future of the Malaysian women's movement. Overall, this book combines both personal and academic insights into the construction of an in-depth account of the Malaysian women's movement and the various feminisms behind it.

Cecilia Ng was previously an Associate Professor at University Putra Malaysia and Visiting Associate Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand Maznah Mohamad is an Associate Professor of Development Studies and was formerly the Director of the Women's Development Research Centre at the Science University of Malaysia, Penang Tan Beng Hui most recently worked as a Programme Officer with the International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (WRAW Asia Pacific)