A panel discussion hosted by dobiQueen highlighted the ongoing challenges Malaysian women face in balancing career aspirations, societal expectations, and mental well-being, with experts calling for equitable work arrangements and support systems. Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles despite advancements in education, and unpaid domestic work continues to disproportionately affect them.
10 September 2024 – In a thought-provoking session hosted by dobiQueen, a leading self-service laundromat, experts convened to discuss “Women’s Role in Society: Addressing Gender Bias, Double Burden & Mental Wellbeing in Malaysia.” The event provided critical insights into the evolving role of women in the workforce, societal expectations, and mental well-being challenges.
The Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) highlighted that despite achieving parity in educational attainment—where women comprise 52% of those with tertiary education—they only represent 37.7% of the labor force. While women make up 50.1% of professionals, they hold only 25.4% of managerial roles, reflecting ongoing gender bias.
“Social norms significantly influence gender outcomes, particularly in economic participation. Women are often seen as primary caregivers, which limits their professional opportunities,” said Puteri Marjan Megat Muzafar, KRI Research Associate. In fact, 62.1% of women outside the workforce attribute household responsibilities as the reason for not working.
Unpaid household work disproportionately falls on women, with dobiQueen’s recent survey revealing that 75% of laundromat users are women. This imbalance further underscores the gender divide in domestic responsibilities, according to dobiQueen’s Co-founder and Executive Director, Nini Tan.
Mental well-being also emerged as a critical issue. A survey by Rakuten Insight in 2022 found that 54% of Malaysian women experienced heightened stress and anxiety in the past year. Puan Anita Abu Bakar, Founder and President of MIASA, emphasized that persistent gender inequality and societal expectations often contribute to burnout, leaving women with little time for self-care.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high-income nation, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. MIASA and KRI both advocate for stronger support systems, including flexible work arrangements and equitable sharing of household responsibilities.
dobiQueen aims to alleviate these burdens by providing convenient laundry services through its app, allowing customers to enjoy more personal time. The company also supports the upcoming International Stigma Conference 2024, a platform aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues in Malaysia.
