“When a man pursues his dreams, he typically receives support from his family and friends. No one asks him to set his dreams aside. In contrast, a woman aspiring for more is criticised for not prioritising marriage or family over career.
“These outdated cultural norms continue to breed a cycle of imbalanced power that perpetuates inequality and dissuades women and girls from stepping up, speaking out, and practising autonomy.”
Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, the Chairperson of RYTHM Foundation, calls for a collective rethinking of societal expectations, urging communities to support women’s aspirations as equally valid and vital to achieving a balanced and progressive society.
Check out her Opinion Editorial in these top Malaysian publications, where Datin Sri Umayal also highlights the pressing need for societal change to uplift women and promote true gender equality:
