A WOMAN who wants to conquer the world must first be able to sign her own cheque book.
That’s what my grandmother drummed into my head when I was growing up.
My grandmother had felt strongly that women should work, even if they had the luxury of being ladies of leisure.
My grandmother, a mother of 10, was a housewife.
As my grandfather was attentive, and my aunts and uncles filial, she was never in want.
But she was well aware that not all women were as fortunate.
That was why she constantly reminded her granddaughters on the importance of being independent.
There were numerous benefits of earning one’s keep, she’d tell me.
First is the liberation from not having to depend on others.
Second is the sense of purpose; an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, while an active one is a sanctuary for progress and wisdom.
Lastly, you will get to have the final say.
From a solo holiday trip right down to the kind of rims you’d like your car tyres to sport, the choice could be yours alone to make and enjoy.
As of February 2024, the Labour Force report by the Statistics Department showed that among women in the country, the percentage who are working was only 56.5% while for men, the figure stood at 83.1%, highlighting the gender gap in the country.
A 2023 survey conducted by Selangor government through the Selangkah app revealed that one of the main reasons women did not join the workforce was family responsibilities, which included childcare.
Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari, while speaking at an Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Women’s Day event, said 13% of women in the survey stated inflexible working hours made it difficult for them to hold on to a job and meet their family’s needs at the same time.
“Another 13% said they wanted to emphasise quality care and the safety of their children,” said Anfaal.
The percentage of Selangor women who are unpaid family workers was also the highest in Malaysia at 20%, she added.
I recently attended a workshop to develop the full potential of women in the workplace.
It was organised by a voluntary organisation which focusses on facilitating 30% women representation on the boards of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.
During discussions to exchange ideas, gain insights and receive guidance on navigating the path to leadership, out popped the usual topic of guilt in leaving one’s children in the care of others when reporting to work.
One participant, who is a development associate of a company, summed up the situation beautifully.
“Those who are bold enough to embrace change are the ones who have what it takes to be in leadership roles and enjoy the perks that come with it, such as being able to afford better education opportunities for their children,” she said.
A mother-of-two, who is now a partner of an international accounting firm, said it all boiled down to personal choice.
While she works in Kuala Lumpur, her family resides in Penang.
To see her family, she has to frequently travel to and fro.
Many women in the working world are mothers, a company chief operating officer said.
“It is not wrong to choose your family. Whatever you decide, that is the right decision,” she said.
However, it must also be remembered that women who are financially independent will always have a safety net for themselves.
It will also give them the mandate to make important decisions for the family, from the quality of care for ageing parents to leaving lasting legacies for their own children.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Government aims to raise female labour force participation to 60% by 2030 through measures such as expanded childcare, reskilling and gender-inclusive workplace initiatives.
