The women who shake the world

MALAYSIAN women are truly remarkable. Throughout our history, women have always been at the forefront of Malaysian society and crafting its identity.

No one can doubt the immense contributions of extraordinary individuals like World War II resistance figure Sybil Karthigasu, freedom fighter and former Welfare Minister Tun Fatimah Hashim and trailblazing lawyer and diplomat Tan Sri Lim Phaik Gan, to name a few.

Today’s Malaysian women are no less extraordinary, holding distinguished positions within the country – among them Malaysia’s first female Chief Justice Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Bank Negara governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, Public Accounts Committee head Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad and, most recently, Malaysia named Normah Ishak as its first female counter-terrorism chief.

Then there are those who tirelessly struggle to make change for their community such as Tijah Yok Chopil striving to improve the education of Orang Asli children and M. Saraswathy leading grassroots women workers to fight for their rights.

There is indeed an enormous amount of potential held by Malaysian women, and what we see today is merely the beginning as they continue to fight for a more equal and enabled world.

Today, we celebrate the women who work tirelessly to protect and promote peace, security and human rights in Malaysia and across the globe. Challenging stereotypes and fighting bias in all ways and forms, they are peacebuilders creating a gender equal world.

As described by the International Civil Society Action Network, they raise their voices about their communities and rise up to prevent, resolve and transform conflicts non-violently.

This International Women’s Day, Sunday Star looks at four remarkable women who promote justice, peace and security by creating meaningful impact and changing the lives of those around them.

From creating art that highlights the importance of preserving human rights and dignity and carrying out medical relief missions in the most demanding of environments to ensuring education and a chance for refugees to shine and protecting the most vulnerable members of their society, here are their stories.

Related stories:

Comic artist with a cause

Going beyond the classroom

Protector of the most vulnerable

A doctor for all