New Sarawak Tribune spoke to two women in conjunction with International Women’s Day celebration today.
Margaret Bedus, President of “Sarawak Women for Women Society” (SWWS)
The phrase ‘A woman’s place is at home or in the kitchen’ is no longer relevant nowadays said Bedus.
She said, unlike in the old days when women had not much choice, today’s women are ambitious- they are given opportunities to pursue their studies to the highest level, get employed and are treated as equal with men in career and opportunities. More women are leaving their homes to work and be independent.
“The theme for ‘International Women’s Day’ this year is ‘Be Bold for Change’. Women must be bold to accept change, empower themselves and be ready for change, with new responsibilities and new roles, at home or at work. Men’s mindset towards women must change. Sexual, physical and domestic violence against women still persist and in countries at war, women are raped. As life gets complicated, with the challenges and stress of day-to-day living, women bear the brunt of this stress and the consequent violence. Discrimination and gender-bias against women must end.”
Flora Imor Philip, recently retired Director of Vocational College, Kuching.
“To say that a woman’s place is at home or in the kitchen is no longer “a must” nor relevant nowadays. It has become a matter of personal and individual choice by the woman herself,” Flora said.
“If, after completing her education, she chooses to stay home and look after her children, it’s fine. On the other hand, if she prefers to be employed or run her own business outside of the home, that is fine, too. Women should be at liberty to make their own choices.
“Women who are employed may face issues in having to balance between the various roles they have to play in being a wife, a mother and an employee. All these can be very demanding.
In this part of the world, and specifically in Malaysia, women’s rights are respected and are well taken care of. But I can’t say the same of women in other countries such as the Middle East.
In our country, women are treated fair and as equals and having the same rights as men. They have equal opportunities in finding jobs, in employment and salaries. There is no discrimination as evident in the number of women doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, heads of departments, politicians and so on. Mutual respect between men and women is important and we are on the right track,” said Flora.
