International Women's Day 2023

Today we celebrate WOMEN. Yes we celebrate them, in principle, but in practice we are not quite there yet. Women are still under-represented in the C-roles. There are more men than women Board members (with the exception of Berjaya Holdings). We still are not getting paid as well as men. In some regions women (girls) are not even allowed to receive an education.

What is equality: is it 50:50 partnership between men and women, right in the middle? Or is it sufficient to offer some seats to women to fill up the "quota"?

Personally and internally I have total faith and belief in my ability on the job. Most women do have that skillset, that confidence, and in many respects we may be even be smarter than our male counterparts.

So, why do many women drop out of the workplace?

Why do women carry the parental guilt more than men?

I have NEVER heard a man lament about how to manage work and household and children

yet this question is very clear and real with women.

If both husband and wife are faced with a choice to quit work, 

why is it expected that the woman do it?

[Especially in Asian (Malay) culture, we don't event get asked. 

We are told to scale down, or downsize, or quit]

Perhaps one thing that I should have fought for, is the right to continue legal practice.

I was quite capable. I wasn't great, but I wasn't terrible.

[Nobody starts off great anyways!]

I wanted so much to do corporate work.

Merger and acquisition.

Attend Board Meetings.

Conduct due diligence.

But the hours and the commitment were too long.

Too risky for the marriage.

I was made to feel guilty for wanting to pursue my career.

The next choice was to scale down and teach.

Here I am still, 20 years after.

I probably am a better lecturer than I was a lawyer.

I get good feedback consistently at the end of the semester.

I love my students, and I do care. Even if I don't seem the type.

What is next?

As a woman, I believe in my choices.

All those ladies in the past have paved the way for me.

Our foremothers 😃

Let us take a moment to appreciate what they have done.

And thank them for their courage.

To blaze through obstacles.

So our journeys may be easier.