Gender and Labour Force Participation in Malaysia: Current Research and Future Direction on Gender Egalitarianism

Abstract

Although, income inequality and poverty are being subtly addressed; the often-neglected link is that poor labour force participation among women has serious implications on endemic income inequality and poverty. Even though, women are acquiring knowledge, skills, abilities and other labour related characteristics like their men counterparts, they face considerable discriminations in the employment market. The continued labour participation imbalances against women are suggestive that, the current employment landscape is not yet inclusive and robust. In the current employment terrain, women are disproportionately disposed to making a compromise between paid job and home caring responsibilities. Although, the current review is not an exhaustive designed to cover every issue connected with gender labour participation disparity, the study will achieve the following key objectives. First, to bring into perspective the, underlying structural imbalance in female labour force participation. Second, to provide policy intervention which are necessary to improve female labour force participation. The review found that, while significant improvements have been made in terms of educational opportunities and economic liberalization which improved women participation, there are substantial structural, cultural and institutional impediments that are still holding women back. These obstacles require robust public policy advocacy, committed leadership in implementing relevant gender supportive behaviours.