KUALA LUMPUR: It is crucial to address the root causes of gender inequality in the workforce, says non-governmental organisation Tenaganita.
"By challenging outdated norms and investing in support structures, we can create a more inclusive society where every woman has the opportunity to thrive," it said in its Mother's Day message on Sunday (May 12).
Tenaganita added that women have long been the unsung heroes of the agricultural sector in Malaysia's oil palm plantations.
It said women have played a vital role in sustaining the industry through their hard work and resilience despite facing systemic barriers and oppressive gender norms.
Tenaganita then added that women's contributions often go unnoticed due to societal expectations that prioritise their roles as wives and mothers, and spoke of the efforts by one of its project leads, Mangalam Panjasaram.
"Working mothers like Mangalam continue to push for gender equality and support for women in the workplace.
"While progress has been made with initiatives such as maternity leave provisions, more must be done to dismantle systemic oppression and provide equal opportunities for women," said Tenaganita.
