Anis Farhana Amran
Research Associate
Anis is a Research Associate at PNBRI. Her research interests lie in education equity and gender inequalities, particularly how structural barriers intersect to shape access to opportunity. She is especially interested in how these dynamics influence education-to-labour market transitions and broader questions of inclusive development. She holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Southampton. Anis aspires to contribute towards a Malaysia that nurtures and uplifts diverse talents, paving the way for all to realise their potential.
[email protected]Abstract
Women have long outpaced men in higher education and are widely present in professional roles. Yet inequalities in income and senior representation, among others, persist. Women are increasingly visible, but the terms and returns of their participation remain uneven. Drawing on Nancy Fraser’s (1995) analytical distinction in the differing natures of gender inequality, this article argues that policy has prioritised inclusion at the point of entry while paying less attention to how rewards and opportunities are structured within institutions. Two paradoxes illustrate this misalignment: parity in professional representation coexists with unequal pay and sustained educational advantage has not translated into proportional economic outcomes. Framing all gender inequalities as a single broad issue risks creating an illusion of equality that masks durable gender disparities.