Prof Jamilah (seated, centre) signing her book at the pre-launch event. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Author of To Have It All: Within the Changing World of Work, Economy and Society Puan Sri Prof Dr Jamilah Ariffin says her 18th book aims to raise awareness on what women in the past had to endure.
The idea of the book, she said, was inspired by global demographic trends, focusing on real-life challenges faced by modern parents, particularly working mothers as they strove to balance career and family responsibilities.
“In the 1970s and 1980s, policies supporting working mothers such as mandatory childcare centres in government departments and tax relief incentives from private companies made it possible for women to work while raising families.
“Nowadays, such systems are rare and today’s work structures and cost of living have resulted in women refusing marriage or opting for a child-free marriage.
“Malaysia has gone below the replacement level (fertility rate), from 2.1 down to 1.7 children per woman,” she said at a press conference during the pre-launch of the book.
Published by I-Resolve Foundation, the book features 20 narrators – professional Malaysian women from diverse fields – and includes a foreword by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Almaz Salma is among the 20 narrators in the book by Prof Jamilah.Among the contributors is Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim, 67, an architect and mother of four who continues to work.
“I have never once regretted my decision of choosing to build a career and raise my children, even if it meant giving up my social life,” Almaz Salma told StarMetro.
“With the right mindset, managing a family and children while having a career to focus on is achievable.”
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was present at the event, extended her congratulations to Prof Jamilah for bringing women from such diverse backgrounds together for the publication.
“It is not an easy task, especially when all coordination was done by Prof Jamilah herself. This is a remarkable achievement.
“It is important that we document the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us.
“I hope Prof Jamilah will consider making the book available online for easier access and reference,” said Yeoh.
The book was officially launched at another event by the Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in Kuala Lumpur.
Reflecting on the theme, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, said the title spoke not only to professional success but to fulfilment in marriage, motherhood and family life.
“By reading this book, young career women can learn how to overcome the challenges that women of my generation had to endure.
“It speaks to a broad audience, from grandparents hoping for their grand-children’s success to fathers who wish to see their daughters thrive, to policymakers working towards better childcare legislation and educators striving to motivate children to excel in all areas of life,” she said.
