Malaysian women 'should be able to do what they want': Squashing gender inequality

The squash clinic with Malaysian squash legend Datuk Nicol David at National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil, helped participants to squash gender stereotypes. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani

"When I brought in my car for servicing, the mechanic didn’t take me seriously just because I’m a woman," says Ooi Ai Lyn from Penang.

“He told me: ‘You women don’t know much about cars, just give me the car keys and we’ll take care of it for you’,” she says.

“So I asked him, ‘But what are you going to do, we’ve not even told you what’s wrong with the car?’ and he replied, ‘Well, you’re using your spare tyre so you need to change it’,” she adds.

“And I replied, ‘Yeah, I’m the one who changed the tyre’. He was surprised but he took me seriously after that,” says Ooi.

As a woman, I think it’s important for us to empower ourselves with skills and knowledge, says Ooi. Photo: The Star/Ming Teoh

The 37-year-old insurance agent was one of the winners for the #AIASquashTheStereotypes Squash Clinic with national Squash champ Nicol David.

“I read about the Squash Clinic on social media where Nicol David had a video about squashing stereotypes so I tried my luck and posted about my experience with gender stereotypes, and I’m really thrilled and honoured to be selected,” says Ooi.

Gender stereotypes unfortunately do exist, she says, and adds that she learnt how to change a car tyre from her father.

“I think that parents' input is very important in gender equality. My dad never said that just because I’m a daughter and not a son, that car maintenance skills weren’t necessary,” she says.

“He still taught me and my sister how to do so because it’s all about survival skills, and he also gave us the tools for it,” she adds.We shouldn't have the perception that "it's not necessary for women to know such stuff", says Ooi.

“As a woman, I think it’s important for us to empower ourselves with skills and knowledge. A lot of times, people think changing a car tyre requires physical strength. But even though it’s easier with strength, that’s not necessarily true because a girl with a slim build like me is able to do it,” she explains.

Ooi picked up squash after watching David win a game at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

“This was in the 2000 when I was in UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia). I came to the stadium to watch the game,” she says.

“I was really inspired, and there was a stall selling squash racquets, so with the little money I had as a student, I went and bought a racquet and started picking up the game,” she adds.

Ooi believes that as a woman, it’s important not to let people impose limiting beliefs on you, on what you can or can’t do.

“Picking up a survival skill is a necessity whether you’re a man or a woman,” she says.

‘This job is suitable for women’

Women should be able to do what they want. They shouldn’t be restricted because of gender stereotypes - and neither should men, says Loo. Photo: The Star/Ming Teoh

Wendy Loo, a teacher from Penang, was also really excited to win a chance to play squash with Nicol David.

“I didn’t expect to win and was so excited when I heard I had won. It all started when I saw Nicol David’s post on social media asking people to talk about gender inequality. I responded and liked the post,” says Loo, who played squash 10 years ago.

The 37-year-old reveals that as a teacher, one of the comments that she usually gets is that “It’s a very suitable field for you because you’re a woman”.

“This is a very sexist remark, but my polite response is usually, ‘Thank you, I’m a natural. But we do have men in this field of teaching too, just the same as we also have male nurses, another field that is usually attributed to women,” she says.

Loo who lives and works in Kuala Lumpur says it’s important to educate people about how damaging gender stereotypes can be.

“It’s important to empower women and educate people about gender equality. Women should be able to do what they want. They shouldn’t be restricted because of gender stereotypes - and neither should men,” she says.

Nicol David showing participants, including Ooi (right, in black) how to hold the racquet correctly. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani

“As women, we should be allowed to be soft and not masculine. And we shouldn’t have to act like a man to be respected because everyone is equal,” she adds.

“Different people have different talents, so they should be respected for who they are, regardless of whether they’re men or women,” she concludes.